Season's Greetings...

To everyone who reads my blog ever:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

AND A HAPPY 2008!!

Extreme TV!

Things I Think About:

1) I watch more TV than I probably should. I am aware of this and so sometimes go out of my way not to watch TV after work and to go out or read a book or try to be an interesting, healthy person. Which is why I don't understand people who always seem to ONLY talk about TV. People who never tell stories about their own life - but start their stories with "this one time on Friends...." I definetely do this on occasion - but I try to intersperse my TV-world-life with an actual life.

That being said....

1) Extreme Make-over versus the Biggest Loser. I have never seen Extreme Makeover but I have seen The Biggest Loser - and though both end with the contestants going through extreme physical transformations - I think that the emotional/spiritual transformation that the contestants go through on the biggest loser must be way more intense because the people on that show are actually causing the change in their lives. And I think that they go through an equally intense change on the inside - which I don't think happens on Extreme Makeover. Which is why I would much prefer to be on the biggest loser (not that I think I should/need to go on either) because I believe it creates a more meaningful and sustainable life change.

2) Extreme Make-over: Home Edition. So they build these brand new mansions for families that are not especially well-off from a financial position and then at the end the family has a big house that reflects the size of the that family's heart. awww.... But what happens the next year when the property tax guys comes around, re-assesses the property value, and suddenly your acre of land with a shack is an acre of land with a mansion and you owe thousands in property tax that you cannot afford. Does the show help you with that? Do they get the municipality to wave the property taxes for a certain length of time? Do they pay the property taxes for the first year? First ten years? I wonder....

7 random things

1) I think my parents are absolutely fabulous.

2) I rarely wear make-up - even though I think I look better and older when I do.

3) If I had been born five years earlier I think I would have been super into grunge music and culture.

4) I am a feminist.

5) I want to try new things and I am scared to try new things in equal measure.

6) I think advertising and branding are far more interesting than marketing.

7) Despite the Law and Order coolness factor, I don't actually want Fred Dalton Thompson to be the next president of the United States. Sam Waterson on the other hand....

Pop-Country and the full spectrum of human emotion

This last week I've had the Carrie Underwood song "Before he Cheats" stuck in my head. I thoroughly enjoy that song. And think it's a great example of pop-country music. That being said, I completely disagree with the entire message of the song and think that any song that glorifies destruction of property as an appropriate response to emotional betrayal is really not setting the best example for today's youth. (seriously).

However, I do appreciate the message about getting in touch with your anger. I have come to realize in the past month that I don't get angry. I get sad and I get frustrated but I don't get angry. Which probably (okay definitely) means that for some reason (cough, internalized societal role of women, cough) I re-direct/internalize my anger and don't allow myself to acknowledge my emotions when those emotions are anger - regardless of whether or not the anger is directed outward at someone else or inward at myself. So I have decided to start acknowledging and feeling and acting on, and therefore being able to process my anger. Not that I think I have a lot. But I am pretty sure I have more than zero.

All part of the process of becoming the perfect person.

christmas festivities

Yay Christmas season!

Okay. So I have two parties to go to this Saturday and two parties to go to next Saturday. Except that all four parties are IN TORONTO! Yeah. Not cool. How can I be social and festive when my social life in Toronto is far more exciting then my social life in Victoria (which largely consists of setting fires at office Christmas parties).

So as for presents:

Mom: still working on it
Dad: Idea number one ruled out. Onto idea number two.
Sister: Part One: Done. Part Two: Done.
Cousin #1: Done
Cousin #2: Still working on it
Boyfriend: In progress.

That's not great - but it could be worse - and there are still plenty of shopping days until Christmas!

shopping at the grocery store

Today I went to Safeway after work. This was quite unusual for me - because with the location of my apartment this year Safeway is no longer within walking distance. So today I took a detour after work to go shopping at Safeway. I made two exciting purchases:

1) I bought two haagen daaz! Yes two! That was because they were on sale 2 for $9.50. I bought one tub of Baileys and one of Mango sorbet. I was a little worried about the Bailey's, but I remember having it in Ireland and really liking it - so I bought some. Turns out - I don't like it. Not one little bit. Well there's $5 I will never get back. The Mango Sorbet however is lovely.

Luckily purchase number two was more successful.

2) I bought a potted mini-pine tree for $7. It is fabulous. It is too small to hang any ornaments on - instead it is currently on the top of my bookcase (although I may move it), next to my (sadly) small collection of Christmas cards. It's all very festive. And the mini-pine smells like pine which is lovely and it has a festive red ribbon tied to the top so I am now most definetly, slowly, starting to get into the Christmas spirit!

the type of story that makes you so sad and makes you wish the world could be a different (better) place

I just saw on the news that there were two shootings today in Colorado. The second shooting took place in a mega-church. The gunmen killed one person and wounded several others before being shot and killed by a security guard.

This is obviously so tragic, and seeming all the more for taking place in church. And it's lucky that more people were not killed. But I cannot imagine going to church and seeing a security guard armed with a gun. I know that I am not an expert on going to church, and clearly today it was necessary - but what kind of world are we living in when Churches are handing out guns? Obviously this practice is not widespread, and I have never been to a mega-chruch - I just think it's a really interesting and sad commentary on the world we live in. That people are paid to carry guns in churches and that today that practice saved lives.

Christmas at the Office

Though I don't usually write about my job, for obvious reasons, tonight I am making an exception. Tonight was the annual, and my first, staff Christmas party for my office. We went out to a nice restaurant, sat in their "group area", had a lovely three course meal (actually two of my courses were almost not editable - but I digress), and then had a tacky gift exchange.

Out of 15 people I got to choose my gift second. It was a book (worthy of its own blog post) wrapped in many many layers of tissue which I took off and placed on the table. As I was showing everyone the book, someone says something about a fire. Yes folks - that's right - apparently in my haste to display my tacky gift I neglected to notice that the tissue paper was precariously close to the candle on the centre of the table. And by precariously close I mean all the tissue paper went up in flames.

I immediately stepped back from the fire while other people attempted to address the now leaping tissue paper flames, which were somewhat contained in the original (but cardboard) box. Several people attempted to smother the fire, but to no avail. And it was far too big to stamp out using one's foot. Finally, after one very long minute, several glasses of water were thrown on the fire and it was mercifully extinguished. Around this time the wait-staff began to come over, apparently the leaping flames had caught some of the other patrons eyes. Although by that time all that was left were the ashes floating through the air like snow and a pile of charred tissue paper.

Apparently that is the most excitement that the office christmas party dinner has seen in some years. And afterwards, everyone said they were glad that my hair didn't catch on fire.

So now, at every Christmas party for years to come, long after I have left this job, someone will say "remember the christmas party when Elizabeth started a fire". Rarely is one aware of the exact moment when they become part of office lore - but for me - without a doubt - it was tonight.

Something's Coming

What do I Love?

Music
Theatre
Musical Theatre
Spending Time with Devin
Having a Night out on the Town

Which makes last Friday's viewing of West Side Story one of my highlights of the season. I listen to music that makes me happy. Some people listen to music that helps them be sad or angry or melancholy or any other emotion. I listen to music to make me happy and put me in a good mood. And that is what musical theatre does to me every time. Even if it's sad musical theatre. It still makes me hapy to listen to.

And so... on that note...

Could be!
Who knows?
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!

Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!

Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!

With a click, with a shock,
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when, but it's soon;
Catch the moon,
One-handed catch!

Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!

Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .

quote of the day

"I have so many insecurities they fight for prominence."

Maura Tierney

Clue

This afternoon I decided to watch some television and one of my favourite movie ever was on! Of course then my mom called so I didn't end up watching it - but in any case...

The movie is Clue. It is based on the board game "Clue" and stars Miss Scarlett, Mrs. White, Col. Mustard, Prof Plum, Mrs. Peacock and Mr. Green - the whole gang!! They go through all types of crazy plot twists and turns through the dinning room, the hall, the kitchen, the lounge, with a candlesticks, a wrench, a revolver and a whole exciting assortment of rooms and weapons!

It was made in 1985 and set in the 1950s and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in seeing the first (and possibly only) movie inspired by a board game. And if that doesn't guarantee quality, I don't know what does?

craigslist

I like craigslist.

But I am not one of those people that spends time on it for no reason.

However - on the occasion I am on it - I often come across amusing things. So I thought I might as well post the occasional amusing craigslist ad on my blog.

So now.... imagine if you will the person who is giving this away and the person who would want this....

30 FREE, organically fed, free range, egg producing chickens for give away

anyone....?

is it me - or is this ad totally Victoria?

last week

1) Outdoor heated patio
2) Bookstore Sale
3) Having work at work
4) my new second home
5) searching for balance
6) Kate and her horsey
7) Tea Store
8) Cheese
9) My fabulous parents
10) My fabulous boyfriend
11) Mail!!

seriously?

I just heard someone on t.v. refer to attending the westminister dog show as being successful in their "sport"

a dog show?

seriously?

a sport?

that makes ice dancing look like a triathalon.

Outlander

This post is dedicated to Linda, who I have never, and will never, meet.

So on the advice of the above, I decided to read Diana Gabalon's famous book "Outlander". It is the first (I believe?) in a series about Claire, a young woman who accidently managed to get herself transported back in time 200 years (so from like 1947 to 1747 or something like that). And she is torn between her love for her 1947 husband and her 1747 young dashing stranger. It's all very intense.

And I have to say - the book was fabulous. It was not the most well-written novel I have ever read, but it reminded me of Harry Potter insofar as the quality of the storytelling made up for any deficits in the writing.

(seriously - everytime the main character spoke, it was followed by "she said dryly" or "she said seriously" or "she said coquettishly" etc. which does not good writing make. There was also a lot of times she seemed to be showing off her vocabulary which ended up being distracting - but I digress).

So yes - the story was excellent. I used to read a lot more than I do now - and this is the first time in a while I finished an 800page book in less than a week (Harry Potter books notwithstanding). The only thing I didn't like was that there are very intense scenes towards the end which I maybe understand why she needed to put them in to demonstrate the depths of human despair and the power of human love - but they were too much for me. They were so disturbing that they took away, for me, from one of the best stories I ever read in a long time.

Again - like Harry Potter - she makes people who don't usually read fantasy suspend their belief. You really do believe that it is possible she went back in time, the way you really do believe there can be wizards. And though I would still rather be Hermoine than Claire, it would be pretty cool to be Claire.

I believe.

Little Children

Last weekend I rented the movie little children.

All I know about this movie before I rent it is that it stars Kate Winslet, is at least partially about a pedophile and was nominated for several academy awards.

Kate Winslet is, I think, the only actor or actress whose movie I would see solely because they are in it. I think she is fabulous and makes fabulous movies.

Little children certainly had it's fabulous moments. But it was also really strange. I think I have fairly middle of the road taste in movies, leaning a little bit towards indie films, but Little Children was definetly a little weird.

I really want to read a 4th year film student paper about the movie to help me get it.

I think it is about struggling against your life, and that the struggle is most likely fruitless, and the struggle can possibly, but most likely will not, be redeeming?

Maybe?

note

So today - just to mix it up - I had a peppermint mocha. It was nice - but I will be returning to the regularly scheduled eggnog chai tomorrow.

so apparently I am ignorant

Monday is my day off (in addition to Saturday and Sunday) and so I usually go out in the morning to do schoolwork and then come home around lunchtime to have lunch. Well today, at 1pm, as I was having lunch, I was watching "Engaged and Underaged" on MTV. The first time I saw this show was last Monday at 1pm, and I am now hooked. (Go ahead, judge me, i am already judging myself).

In any case - the 19 year old fiancee was upset that her fiance's mother did not like her. So when the guy says "you and my mom just have different personalities" his finacee says "well that's just ignorant. If you don't like someone because of their personality than you're just ignorant".

Now - I obviously can't speak for everyone - but for me, I actually find the primary reason that I like or dislike someone is because of their personality. Now - if I meet someone new I might try to focus aspects of their personality that I like rather than aspects of their personality that I don't - but in the end, it does come down to personality.

There could be a highly moral and good person who just happens to have a caustic or annoying or boring personality. And I might respect that person and hold them in high esteem, but if I don't like their personality, I probably don't like them.

So I'm not exactly sure what criteria this particular young woman was using to decide when and why one should be liked. And if it's not personality, I'm not exactly what it is. And so apparently, I must be ignorant.

one friend's opinion

so maybe it's not everyone's cup of eggnog latte

Eggnog Latte

Right now, this very moment, I am sitting in a Victoria Starbucks (using an external wireless provider for free!) and quitely celebrating the fact that I can now purchae an Eggnog Latte! For the record, I did not purchase an eggnog latte as I am here to do school-stuff, and therefore could not be relaxed to truly enjoy the first eggnog latte of the season (so I have a chai latte instead). But I have been thinking of some of the pros and cons of the eggnog latte which I would now like to share with you, the viewer.

pro: It is delicious

con: It is expensive (and I am poor)

pro: It fills me with Christmas Cheer

con: It is not exactly healthy, especially considering how much better it tastes with 2% than with skim.

pro: It is one more reason to come to starbucks

con: It is one more reason to come to starbucks

In conclusion: rationally: I should avoid the eggnog latte. Luckily, I am not rational, and therefore, in conclusion: Yay eggnog latte!!

ONE MINUTE LATER: I just remembered.... Chai Eggnog Lattes!!! Well - that certainly ends any doubts I may have had regarding the quandary of the eggnog latte.

Things I Love - in no order and to varying degrees

1) James Spader
2) Honesty
3) Sweaters
4) Red Nails and Red Lips
5) Long Necklaces
6) Craft Fairs
7) Presents (both giving and receiving)
8) Dogs
9) The fairy lights in Oak Bay Village at Christmastime
10) Devin

A Sampler of my Thoughts

1) On Sunday I went to Starbucks twice. Once alone and once with someone. Both times (at two seperate starbucks) they got my order wrong! The first time it was half-sweet instead of half caf (I sent that one back) and the second time it had light-whip instead of no whip. But I decided just to go ahead and have the whip cream :)

2) I was supposed to buy this afternoon. I have no milk. This means tomorrow I will not be able to have ceral for breakfast. So I will either have yogurt, or buy a muffin instead.

3) Now that I have a roommate - I find I am cleaning more than I ever did when I lived by myself. I don't know if this is because it's not only my "dirt" or because my roommate is not especially tidy/clean but it's kinda nice to look at something that is cleaner than it was 5 minutes previously because of your hard work. That being said - I still do not like cleaning and would love to live alone again to enjoy my own (and not someone else's) mess.

4) Tonight I need to iron. Ironing and cleaning floors are my two least favourite chores. Plus both my iron and my ironing board suck! so that makes it especially frustrating.

5) Someone should send me mail!

6) I have been trying to imagine having three children and I can't. I just can't. It's beyond my ability to imagine myself as the mother of three. I can imagine waking up tomorrow being the Prime Minisiter of Canada - but not a mother of three. So in conclusion - the more I think about it - the more impressed I am.

so I guess I'll be needing directions to 24 Sussex

Nick Galifianakis for The Washington Post
(used entirely without permission)

speaking of babies...

The other night I had a dream that babies came from cupcakes. You would bring home a cupcake (or two) and once you got home you would open the cupcake and there would be a baby inside. In my dream I had 5 cupcakes (but I was going to give three of them to my aunts who needed someone elses cupcakes). And my 5 cupcakes were smaller than regular cupcakes (which makes sense, because multiples are usually lower birth rate babies). And the first cupcake I opened had a girl inside and I decided to name her Harry or Henry. And the second cupcake I opened had a boy baby inside and I decided to name him Harry (because apparently I am neither clever nor creative).

Anyways - I feel of all the foods that babies could come in, cupcakes would be right up there. Also fruits, like maybe a pomegranite would be a nice place for a baby to come from. In any case, I am sure all this baby-cupcake dreaming is related to the newest member of Devin's family - who I hear, despite not coming from a cupcake, is super cute and doing well - which is excellent! even more excellent than cupcakes!

Thanksgiving

So today is Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving! I had one thanksgiving Turkey dinner on Saturday which was quite nice. Aside from that, I spent most of the weekend waiting on Devin hand and foot taking care of a sick Devin. Although as of yesterday/today he is now strong enough to go outside so I feel fairly confident that he is on the mend.

I hope everyone reading this had a lovely weekend. In the past five years I have only spent one Thanksgiving with my family. But I think that's the nice thing about Thanksgiving - of all the major holidays it is the most inclusive and the one where new traditions develop. For me, Thanksgiving is about creating community, unlike Christmas which I like to be the same, I like that Thanksgiving is sometimes different.

Also this weekend I watched the movie "The Departed". It was excellent. I hadn't seen it yet and it was really good. The acting was fabulous and it was super well directed and it made me proud of my Irish gangster hertiage (well - 2 out of 3). And a few weeks ago I finished "A Jest of God" by Margaret Lawrence. It was really really good. And really Canadian. And really introspective. And so honest. So that's my little Thanksgiving weekend arts review!

simpler times

Feel Better Devin :)

the magic of the psl.

Over the course of the summer, I have acquired several "free drink" coupons for starbucks.

So I went to starbucks this morning with the plan of using one of this very very special certificates.

And I exchanged it for a venti, half-caf, 1%, no-whip pumpkin spice latte.

I adore the pumpkin spice latte.

The psl fills me with joy every autumn. It is so delicious. Everytime I see Kirsten mention a pumpkin spice latte (on fb, her blog etc). I want to exclaim, outloud "pumpkin spice latte!!" I also know and understand and have a deep appreciation for the specialness and joy of the psl. I know that many people don't agree. And that's okay. But for me, the psl is in the top tier of starbucks drink. Perfection in a paper cup - and today it cost me nothing :)

Margaret Atwood

I like Margaret Atwood a lot. I wrote a paper on her in 10th grade and one of my all time favourite books is The Robber Bride.

Today I finished Bodily Harm, Atwood's 5th novel from 1981. At the back of the book, under "about the author" it says "Margaret Atwood needs little introduction..." and that was 25 years ago! It's interesting since when I think of Atwood I don't think of her as being famous until well into my lifetime, which means in my mind she became famous when I first became aware of her (how typically self-centred). In any case, in Bodily Harm I can totally see the Atwood I know and love in the book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as some of her later work. I still have to read "The Penelopiad" and I want to re-read the Handmaids Tale (which I haven't read since 10th grade). So I started to think about what Atwood I've read. I've read some of Survival (her first non-fiction book about CanLit), none of her poetry and the following novels:

The Edible Woman
Bodily Harm
The Handmaid's Tale
Cat's Eye
The Robber Bride
Alias Grace
The Blind Assassin
Oryx and Crake

Which means I have not read:
Lady Oracle
Life Before Man
The Penelopiad
The Tent

Which suggests I have read twice as many as I have not read. Some day I will read them all. But I am in no hurray and they are not going anywhere :)

Discovered...

Today I discovered this cute little "food court" near my house. It's a stand alone building in neighbourhood near where I live where there is a thai restaurant, sushi restaurant, ethopian restaurant and a cafe. There is some seating inside and outside, though I am guessing that most of their business is take-away. It is very cute, and I don't know where else in victoria to get ethiopian food (it's not like I can't live without ethiopian food but I do like it, and it is always nice to have the option). Plus it means that I can get takeout food for dinner on those "non-cooking" nights. Tonight was a cooking night, and I made gnocci (pre-made) but I wasn't a big fan of it. It tasted weird. So I am thinking next time I buy a different type. I did however buy a nanimo bar this afternoon so I can have a special desert later!

Update: The nanimo bar from the cafe near where I live was not very good. Not very good at all. I was doubly disappointed with my evening meal. However, if that is the worst thing I have going right now I guess I am pretty well off.

wednesday

Today was a much better day....

I woke up in the morning and the sun was shining. I went to school and got some good work done in the morning. Then I ran into a number of people in my program and went for a drink to celebrate someone finishing their degree. At first I didn't want to go because I was feeling anti-social - but then I thought I should just go - and I had a lovely time - except for all the political theory discussions. Then I ran into someone else I know who (with some friends) just opened a book store! Which I think is pretty cool. I met with my supervisor who is lovely, then I picked up my jacket (which does look really nice) and I bought some moisterizer and milk (not at the same place) came home, relaxed for a bit, made some dinner, and now I am going to watch corrie and do some reading.

Hopefully the next time I blog it will be slightly more inspired and a little less a recitation of my daily activities. However, I just wanted to share with the world me better day :)

monday/tuesday

Yesterday was Monday.

Yesterday I have an excellent day.

I was productive - I worked on a number of the different "projects" I have on the go. I walked all over the city and my body felt really good. I spent lots of time with my fabulous boyfriend. I felt like I was really in control of my life.

Today is Tuesday.

Today I am having a bad day.

There is no reason really. And it is only noon so the day has some time to salvage itself. On the plus side I bought a tabletop ironing board and a drying rack. On the downside I had to carry them home. I wanted to buy a full sized ironing board - but seeing as it was 10times more expensive I decided to economize and buy the tabletop version. However - I had to go to the tailor - and since I live in a new part of Victoria I had to find a new tailor. So I went to a local tailor that was supposed to open at 10am, however, at 11am there was still no one in the shop, so I went to a tailor that I heard was good, but a little more expensive. Now I needed only the smallest thing done so I figured I could pay an extra $5. Unfortunetly the cost was three times more than what I expected, but since I just talked to the woman for five minutes, and she had given me a discount on their rush cost (because I want it for tomorrow) I didn't have the courage to walk out. Plus I didn't know for sure somewhere else where I could get it for tomorrow. In any case, I now just feel foolish for spending so much and for not being more prepared. I realize this is not a really big deal - but for whatever reason it feels like the end of the world right now.

And normally I would go to starbucks to buy a pumpkin spice latte to make myself feel better - but now I don't want to spend any more money. oh sigh. hopefully I will write more tomorrow and with a recap of a happier day.

Return to Victoria

For the first time in over four months I am composing a blog post from victoria.

It is very nice (if a little strange) to be back.

Everything this year is new. I have a new aptartment, and a new roommate and a new bed. The most exciting part is the bed. I bought a new queen sized bed (and by bed I mean mattress, boxspring, metal frame rather than an actual bed frame). The bed is huge and takes up the bulk of my room, but that is fine, because clearly the bed is the most important part of the room. I have my old Ikea duvet covers, and I had to buy a new queen sized sheet and bed skirt, and they are gorgeous.

I also have a new bookcase ($40 courtesy of walmart) which my fabulous boyfriend helped me put together (helpless girl that I am). I could probably use a dresser, but my lack of floor space and ample closet space leads me to believe that probably won't happen.

It is nice finally be set up so I can feel at home in my new place. And though of course I miss my wonderful parents and friends I am glad I am back in Victoria. And now that I offically have internet in my new place I can (hopefully) return to my more regularly scheduled blogging program.

posting

Okay.

So clearly it has been quite a while since my last posting. That is because it is the summer and apparently, for me, summer is not posting time. However, come Sept. I should be back in Victoria and then I imagine that there I shall return to my regularly scheduled posting.

In any case...

Have you ever called a restuarant and asked "do you take reservations?" and when they say "yes, when would you like a reservation" replied with "oh, I don't want to make a reservation, I was just curious." only to be met with confusion? I don't want to make a reservation, I just want to know if I can make a reservation.

Speaking of reservations, although not really, tomorrow Devin is coming all the way from Calgary to visit me! I know - how exciting!! I hope the weather is nice - and by nice I mean not too hot, but also, not too cold. And I hope that he enjoys the company of my friends, and my family, and my province!! And that he puts up with me :)

Happy....

Happy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Day!!

Canadian Idol - wk 2

Oh Idol. My favourite summer pastime. Last night was the guys top 9. After the show there were 5 guys that I voted for. 5 guys that I thought were really really good (in no particular order) Andrew Austin, Jaydee Bixbee, Liam Styles Chang, Tyler Mollendorf, and Greg Neufeld. Now based on the judges comments, I don't know if all five of these guys will make the top ten (b/c there are other strong performers) but I am really digging the guys.

That is in comparrison to the girls who sang tonight. Out of 9 girls the judges only liked 3, and I only liked 2 (Carly Rae Jepsen and Montana). And there were probably 4 or so girls who deserve to go home this week (for those not in the know, 2 men and 2 women will go home). So I just hope some of the women step their game up a little bit, and really show Canada what they've got!!

Look for more Canadian Idol commentary in the weeks and months to come. Oh Idol, how I love you!!

seriously?!

seriously?!

A Hymn to Him

HIGGINS
What in all of heaven could've promted her to go,
After such a triumph as the ball?
What could've depressed her;
What could've possessed her?
I cannot understand the wretch at all.

Women are irrational, that's all there is to that!
There heads are full of cotton, hay, and rags!
They're nothing but exasperating, irritating,
vacillating, calculating, agitating,
Maddening and infuriating hags!

Pickering, why can't a woman be more like a man?
Yes...

Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square;
Eternally noble, historic'ly fair;
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat.
Well, why can't a woman be like that?

Why does ev'ryone do what the others do?
Can't a woman learn to use her head?
Why do they do ev'rything their mothers do?
Why don't they grow up- well, like their father instead?

Why can't a woman take after a man?
Men are so pleasant, so easy to please;
Whenever you are with them, you're always at ease.
Would you be slighted if I didn't speak for hours?

PICKERING
Of course not!

HIGGINS
Would you be livid if I had a drink or two?

PICKERING
Nonsense.

HIGGINS
Would you be wounded if I never sent you flowers?

PICKERING
Never.

HIGGINS
Well, why can't a woman be like you?
One man in a million may shout a bit.
Now and then there's one with slight defects;
One, perhaps, whose truthfulness you doubt a bit.
But by and large we are a marvelous sex!
Why can't a woman take after like a man?
Cause men are so friendly, good natured and kind.
A better companion you never will find.
If I were hours late for dinner, would you bellow?

PICKERING
Of course not!

HIGGINS
If I forgot your silly birthday, would you fuss?

PICKERING
Nonsense.

HIGGINS
Would you complain if I took out another fellow?

PICKERING
Never.

HIGGINS
Well, why can't a woman be like us?

Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so decent, such regular chaps.
Ready to help you through any mishaps.
Ready to buck you up whenever you are glum.
Why can't a woman be a chum?

Why is thinking something women never do?
Why is logic never even tried?
Straight'ning up their hair is all they ever do.
Why don't they straighten up the mess that's inside?

Why can't a woman behave like a man?
If I was a woman who'd been to a ball,
Been hailed as a princess by one and by all;
Would I start weeping like a bathtub overflowing?
And carry on as if my home were in a tree?
Would I run off and never tell me where I'm going?
Why can't a woman be like me?

- My Fair Lady

I love this song. I think it's hillarious.

eye spy

Today was not a good day to live in Toronto. This is because today it was 34 degrees outside, not including the humidex (feels like 40). This meant that today I abandoned all plans for being outside that were not absolutely necessary.

The only necessary outside things I had to do this morning was go to see the eye doctor. Today, for the first time, my eye doctor took a picture of my eye. Of the back of my eye. Of my optic nerve and all that other stuff. It was cool, but really quite disconcerting. Oh. That's my eye. And my optic nerve? And that's where I focus? Strangely beautiful as well, but weird.

Tomorrow is supposed to be hot again, hot and thunderstomy. I feel like I am in suspended animation right now. Not in a bad way - just in a strange way. And tonight is the top twelve women on Canadian Idol - what can I say - I love Canadian Idol! Like American Idol, but with character.

the city

I don't have a favourite city. I like many different cities for many different reasons, but one my favourite cities is Toronto.

Since I have been back, every time I go somewhere new or do something fun I think how great Toronto is and how much I want to share what is fabulous about Toronto with everyone I know (including people who live in Toronto). And even though there is so much of Toronto that I don't know, and even though I still get very confused about where Bathurst Street is downtown, I love being in the city and feeling like a part of the city. I feel this way about Victoria, but to a lesser extent, because though I occasionaly discover new things/parts of Victoria, size dictates that there is only so much to explore. I still need to get out more, and actively embrace more of the city, but I like knowing that the city is out there. waiting for me.

If not me, then who?

This past week has been very strange because I haven't felt at all like myself. Now this was puzzling to me, because clearly I am still me. But I didn't feel like me. I felt like the regular me emerged several times a day to express frustration with how the current me was behaving, but was unable to do anything about it.

Now, today I have once again begun to feel like myself, which is a welcome relief from feeling like the non-me. Hopefully I can manage to continue to feel like me.

The feeling that I have less control over my thoughts/feelings/actions - even though it is still clearly me controlling all these things - but it's like looking at yourself through a smudged window so all of your movements are sluggish, akward and inaccurate and you can't make yourself behave quite properly.

On an unrelated note: I remember growing up my parents getting upset with my sister when she was out with a cell phone and turned it off so they couldn't call. Well geez louise parents - when you go out with a cell phone - keep it turned on so important people (like me!) can call you! sheesh.

language

I think that the language we use can sometimes say a lot about a person. And other times very little. I definetly say "like" to much and don't know as many big words as I would like, and sometimes I say things that surprise me. I will present two cases to illustrate.

1) In a bar in Halifax Alex and I were talking to a random 40something year old man who was attempting to make our acquaintance. He was talking to us about "Bubbles" of "The Trailor Park Boys" fame and he inquired as to whether or not we were familliar with the Trailor Park Boys. I replied that I had never seen the show but was familiar with them as a "cultural phenomenon". Apparently this phrase, which works very well in a classroom setting, causes random people in bars to look at you like you are crazy.

2) Yesterday I was walking in downtown Toronto with Alexandra. We were talking about something about which I was getting somewhat worked up about, and this caused me to exclaim "geez louise!". This was apparently humourous to a random woman who was riding by on her bicycle who shouted "hey geez louise!", as though to point out her appreciation/scorn of my use of that phrase.

I have no real point, just that I am a 23 year old woman who uses phrases like cultural phenonomenon and geez louise, apparently to the amusemnet/chagrin of those around me.

travels (day 5-8)

Day 5
1) mapquest and roundabouts
2) rain
3) lots of fog and the total lack of a view from the confederation bridge
4) red soil, for serious.
5) "big chief" van
6) Levi and Kate
"don't worry about paying, it's more important that you are comfortable"
Q: "ummmmm..." A: "I bought it at a garage sale"
"you can use the phone but we only have one line, so if you wouldn't mind answering the call waiting"
7) Deidre
8) The Anne Store
9) The store with the scarf
10) The lack of cuteness
11) The best "in a paper bag" fish and chips in PEI
12) The fact that you can get, what I can only describe as a giant bong/caraf of beer brought to your table
13) Ohmigd is that a PEI accent?
14) Only drinking a half pint of beer
15) If playing in a band makes a guy approx. 3x better looking than when he is not playing in a band, and you are watching a band play where no one is good looking, you know there is no chance for the guys to be good looking
16) The fact that everyone in the bar knew who everyone else was
17) KIWI!!

Day 6
1) more Deidre
2) Anne's House
3) The little path that went only to Lucy Maud Montgomery MacDonald's grave
4) Things being closed, and or ceasing to exist
5) Random craft shops
6) Napping in the car
7) Feeling like Sarah Stanley and Gus Pike as they go looking for captain crane's treasure
8) Seriously the most amazing red cliffs EVER!!
9) Lobster Supper!!
10) unlimited chowder!! (and muscles and desert and SIXTY FOOT salad bar)
11) Megan! (we love you)

Day 7
1) A big ferry
2) Being the LAST car off the big ferry
3) Lots of driving
4) OHMIGD I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE CABOT TRAIL WOULD BE SO AMAZING!
5) More Amazing
6) Cheticamp - the rug (not to be confused with latch) hooking capital of the world
7) More French Tim's
8) Lobster traps painted with the Acadian flag
9) "If we both didn't see it, then it wasn't there"
10) Jeff (number 2)
11) Pleasant Bay
12) buying gloves (finally)!
13) Making pasta and playing cards in the kitchen
14) going to bed early in the dogdy linen, but grateful for the heat
15) No keys for the hostel, front door or bedroom

Day 8
1) Snow on the Ground
2) Amazing
3) Crazy twisty downhill driving
4) Stopping randomly in an empty diner/convience store to use the restroom
5) Canada Post!!
6) Louisbourg!! with 4 out of 48 buildings open and an unfortunate lack of people in costume
7) car picnic
8) blustery blustery
9) Cape Breton University!
10) Dinner at the Swiss
11) laundry
12) "say NO to incineration"

And it would be wonderful if someone could please tell me what to do!

Travels: Day 1-4

I have been extremely distracted for the past few days, however, I really want to blog about my trip. So I will do my best to briefly shift my focus away from my problem. (yeah, I know. some problem).

Day 1
1) Quebec City, suprsingly unfar
2) Comedy of Errors
*lights going out, damn that coffee maker
*do you see the dial. look across the room. use that dial instead.
*ummmm.... isn't this key supposed to work?
3) metro! the ability to buy wine at the grocery store? how civillized.
4) writing on best western stationary

Day 2
1) Quebec City to Fredriction, surpringly far
2) "I think those are the falls"
3) Walmart
4) Rain
5) Freezing Rain
6) Snow
7) Rain
8) Rosemary Hall
9) SKETCHY!
10) Jeff
11) Hours of guitar playing across the hall
12) The Blue Door and Pad Thai
13) The NB Sports Hall of Fame

Day 3
1) Pewter
2) Green Tea and "do you know us. we sell stuff in Toronto"
3) Beaverbrook!!!
4) Dali
5) docent's choice
6) GAGETOWN! (round 1)
7) small little road - pretty little road
8) toll
9) UNB
10) A table full of Rugby guys
11) laundry
12) Seriously - how could I have known the road was ABOVE us!
13) Irving
14) GREY'S season finale
15) super super cute houses on super super confusing streets

Day 4
1) UNB Museum
2) Loyalist Day
"I don't understand, why is everyone in costume?"
"I wanted to see the permanant wave machine!"
"I think it's cubism"
3) Rain
4a) Full below ground parking (morning)
4b) Closed (?!) below ground parking (night)
5) Farmer's market
*ring
6) Beauty and the Beast (or something like that) with disapointingly poor food.
7) CABERET!! seriously, who knew?
8) MERIMAC!!
"here's a free shot with your cover"

Okay - that's all for now. More to follow.

7 provinces in one month (how cool is that?)

Part I: Books
I just finished a book called between the bridge in the river, written by craig ferguson of the late late show and drew carey fame. I can't decide if it was "good" or not, but it was really really enjoyable to read - and really, what more can you ask from a book.

Part II: Trip things
For anyone who doesn't know, this Tuesday I am leaving on a road trip with my friend Alex. This is the first real road trip I have ever been on. We are driving from Toronto to the Maritimes and back again in 19days. I am super excited, and a little freaked out. But mainly super excited. We will be staying in Quebec City, Fredricton, Saint John, Charlottetown, Cape Breton, Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City (again), Ottawa and then finally Toronto. We will be staying in a mix of hostels and hotels (neither of us knows things about camping) and having picnic lunches, seafood dinners and pints while listening to fiddling music :)

where to begin?

Since last time I have left B.C. and returned to Toronto by way of Alberta. So much stuff happened. So much. Too much. So below are random thoughts from the past 10 days.

1) it seems like WAY more than 10 days
2) ohmigd I want a dog!!
3) Things in a Box (x2)
4) I heart euchre. even if I don't know how to spell it. I am also amazing at it.
5) sangria (x2)
6) appies.
7) besties.
8) seeing Dylan
9) having my fondness for Moxie's seriously questioned.
10) two words: hot. springs.
11) m&m bark
12) my favourite ice cream shop
13) children are ridiculously cute. especially (but not limited to) blonde children and laughing children.
14) famillies are special things
15) colburn and lake ontario and ohmigd gorgeous.
16) moving (x2)
17) so that's who X is/what X looks like
18) 59 + 59! (and I'm feeling fine!)
19) James
20) LUPUS!!
21) trip planning
22) being really really really happy.

T minus three days

I am currently on hold with telus and there is no music, no automated voice thanking me for waiting, nothing. It's a little disconcerting.

Last night I watched the Gilmore Girls. I don't watch it regularly, but I have a pretty good idea of what is going on. Anyways - last night's episode really spoke to me. On three levels in fact. On the Rory level, the Paris level and the Lorelei (sp?) level - which is pretty close to be all the levels.

Today is more packing. pack pack pack. This morning I had coffee with my friend Steph. She is leaving today for Vancouver. I gave her all the liquour I had in my house. Which was a lot - a lot because I rarely drink and people have given me liquour as gifts - not because I drink a lot so I have a lot :)

still on hold. still silent. still disconcerted.

Today

Today my bank account grew by $150. This is because I returned a $80 pair of pants and a $70 shirt. I realize that I should probably try to focus on buying things I need and can afford. Oh well... no one is perfect.

Today I finally put all my art postcards from NY (and a few others) in my art postcard book. It's been a year and I finally got around to it. What I should have gotten around to today was furthering my packing (note the sound of me hyperventaliating).

Tonight I was reading "the things I know" blog (which is my favourite blog of those linked by members of Devin's family) and I realized that right now I suddenly don't feel compelled to know anything. I mean, I know the things I know, and there are lots of things I don't know. And for the last couple weeks, I haven't been that worried about the things I don't. It's a nice change.

last little while

who wears short shorts? me apparently. not on purpose I assure you.

I love martinis.

last weeks I drank three nights in row (note: not like in college - I just had one-two drinks - but still - this is highly irregular for me)

dulche de leche (sp?) = yum. However only in tall. grande is too much.

packing = fear

spending summer living with parents without a place of my own = potential nervous breakdown. I love my parents and we get along super well. but the summer? and maybe beyond? I have been home for the summer before. But man. man!!

I heart Iris Murdoch.

I am going to buy Craig Ferguson's book for my plane ride and sojurn in Calgary.

I love having flowers in my apartment. And I am sad to be leaving my apartment.

I giggle too much and at inappropriate times.

A few days ago I woke up from a dream, laughing, I was laughing so much in my dream I woke myself up. I only wish I remember what it was about.

I have had one flying dream in my life. I (irrationaly) envy those who have flying dreams.

Grotty is a word.

Sleep makes me happy.

Children of men is a good movie. But it wasn't fabulous. I am considering reading the book.

Today it was not nice weather wise. That made me sad. It has been super nice these past couple of days. Please come back sun. Please come back.

also.

I just saw the last 30 seconds of degrassi the next generation. I have not watched it since before christmas. And wow. Alex and Paige? for real? love? what is going on? why did I stop watching what might be the greatest show ever on canadian tv?! (street legal excluded).

seriously?

okay. seriously.

SERIOUSLY!!

high school

bubble gum and house parties when you stole your parents rum
and tried to screw everything that could breathe
back in high school we didnt have a whole lot to do
we watched the world go by on the television screen
said it's the 90's kids thats way out this is way in
go beat eachother up on the dance floor
told us drugs were no good
but then we smoked 'em and liked 'em
so much that we smoked a little more
we liked 'em so much that we smoked a little more

then i call your name
did you hear me singin' that song that i wrote for you?
your so the same but your so different
i didn't recognize you

it's kinda hard with all that sexual confussion
sometimes you don't know if your gay or straight
but whats the difference its a wonderful illusion
most times you won't make it past second base
I'm in a band we kinda suck but we don't now it yet
and i don't care anyway
cuz soon i'm gonna sell these drums, pay my rent,
support my kid and tell him all about way back in daddy's day
i'll tell him all about way back in daddy's day

Chorus

some years later by a soda coolerator
in a corner store back in my home town
this stranger smiles at me, said
"remember the class of '93?"
and for some reason it makes him look real proud
after all the good times he said we had
he looks at me, scratches his head
and asked me where the hell i have went
and the funny thing is that i never even knew him
but he coulda been any one of my high school friends

Chorus (x2)

lov-e-ly

All I want is a room somewhere,
Far away from the cold night air.
With one enormous chair,
Aow, wouldn't it be loverly?

Lots of choc'lates for me to eat,
Lots of coal makin' lots of 'eat.
Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet,
Aow, wouldn't it be loverly?

Aow, so loverly sittin' abso-bloomin'-lutely still.
I would never budge 'till spring
Crept over me windowsill.

Someone's 'ead restin' on my knee,
Warm an' tender as 'e can be. 'ho takes good care of me,
Aow, wouldn't it be loverly?
Loverly, loverly, loverly, loverly

Quote of the Day

Martin Sheen: I don't believe we go to heaven, I believe we become heaven.

I love this.

life in victoria

victoria is a special city. very different from any other city in which I lived. why is Victoria different you ask?

1) spring in victoria brings with a certain smell. not the beautiful smell of flowers and blossoms. but the pugent smell of the manure that Victorians use to fertilize their lawns.
2) today while I as at the gym I glanced over next to me and saw a charming older man. I noticed him several moments later as he pushed his walker from one weight-machine to another. this is why I love my gym. it's the type of place where a man with a walker can go work out and feel comfortable.
3) when you want a shirt from espirt that they no longer have in your size - you have to leave the island to find it. unlike a CITY where you could simply go to another store that had different stock and pick up the shirt which you desired. here I have no recourse and will have to go through life without that shirt.

the weather, however, is fabulous!

life.

what do you do when someone sends you a piece of paper that gives you an opportunity to realize your ultimate life goal - three weeks after you decided you no longer had an ultimate life goal. It helps if that piece of paper also suggests that your ultimate life goal will cost $200,000CAD. It's what I wanted for so long. I don't want to give it up. I know that I should. I know that giving it up will make me happier in the long run. But damn will it be hard.

The ten questions by Bernard Pivot that James Lipton (Inside the Actor's Studio) asks every guest are:

What is your favorite word?
hope, words that are fun to say: bric-a-brac, tic-tock,

What is your least favorite word?
I can't even bring myself to type it (and I know certain people will use it against me)

What turns you on [creatively, spiritually or emotionally]?
honesty, ambition (trying to be the best you possible)

What turns you off?
people who are judgmental (jk), apathy, airs of superiority

What is your favorite curse word?
***k and general blasphemy

What sound or noise do you love?
the words "I love you", sighs of contentedness

What sound or noise do you hate?
painful silence

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
teacher, novelist

What profession would you not like to do?
serve on the frontlines in a war zone

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
*big hug*

1) I'm sure if I had given this more thought I would have better answers
2) I totally invite anyone else to answers these if they want, I'm curious.

Ohmigd, what have I done?

I joined Facebook.

inspiredbyinspiredbydooce.blogspot.com

I lead a rather simple life. I do similar things everyday. Sometimes I watch television when I could be reading a book. Sometimes I would rather go to Starbucks than the beach. Somedays when I am napping I let my machine pick up my calls.

One of my most acomplished friends is currently spending 6 months travelling and volunteering in South America. She went by herself. She is planning her journey as she finds it. She is creating enough memories to last other people several lifetimes. At first I thought I was jealous of her, and of her adventure. But I am not. I am inspired by it. I know me. I know I could spend a month in Europe travelling by myself. I also know that (right now) I could not spend six months in South America, by myself, without an iterniary. So I look at her amazing life and say - that is not my ultimate expression of me.

I have another friend - lived all over the world - gone to university in three countries for two degrees and worked in Switzerland for the UN. She speaks at least three languages fluently and I think three others passably. She has more life and energy in her than almost anyone I have ever met. She also has the most intense fear of emotional-romantic intamacy of anyone I have ever met (she knows this). Her life suits her, it allows her to push herself in all the ways which she wants, and to excel, and to be her ultimate expression of herself.

So why these stories? (and trust me, I have some pretty amazing friends, I could go on). Because these are woman whose adventures, but more importantly, whose spirits I admire. I was (for a long time) pushing myself to be the very best I could be - and I recently realized that how I saw myself, was not, in fact, how I was. I knew what my reflection looked like, so I never stopped to see if maybe it had changed. And it had.

Now I am in the very fortunate and deeply petrifying position of being at a crossroads - and I am completely okay with it (or so I tell myself). I can now decide who I want to make myself. How I think I can be the best, most true me possible. This is not a question that needs to be answered overnight, or a question with only one answer, or a question with a permanent answer. I can be an international aid worker, or a mother, or a flight attendant, or a nurse, or a teacher, or a writer, or a pet groomer. The world is full of extraordinary people living ordinary lives (and also ordinary people living extradorinary lives, which is an integral part of my theory of North American humanity, but is for another post). And I think that as long as I am an extraordinary person living an ordinary life I will be happy. I will strive, in my life, to never be ordinary. Or complacent. Or boring. Or bored. And though at different points I will be all those things, I will never be trapped in any of them. I will strive to become the best me I can be.

**Pleased by advised that the author is available to address your group or organization with inspirational, psycho-babble, b*llsh*t for a speaking fee of $100/hr. Quality assured as she is still innocent and optimistic enough to believe what she says.

quote of the day

On life some generally: Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.

On writing: RB: That is so true. Very often you need to get networked into "Don’t care." If we think that we must be erudite, intellectual, and must never be seen as foolish, you’ve really started out on the wrong foot as a writer. Most new writers do just that. It takes a lot of experience to learn that the gift I have to give is my foolishness. It’s the craziness of my ideas that make them interesting, make them worthwhile. Once we learn to relax and not to worry about how the reader, the editor, or the publisher thinks of us. Then we can get down to the interesting writing.

Richard Bach

most famously author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and author of "A Bridge Across Forever" my favourite book about love, fate and soulmates when I was a starry-eyed, daydreaming 13 year old.

At some point in the future I might actually post something that is not an image or a quote. In case anyone was wondering.

TV's longest running emmy award winning drama

I know I'd vote for him!

except for the fact he's not officially running, I am not registered to vote in America and he's a Republican... but aside from that!

Fabulous!

Darling, we are (I am, s/he is, they are) all kinds of fabulous!

getting the customers involved in marketing - brilliant

me if I was old, crazy, rich and an m&m



Devin as an m&m on the Road



Alex as an m&m on her way to the Dave Cave!



www.becomeanmm.com

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.)

Jo in Vic.

1) sushi
2) Glasgow Coma Scale
3) The Mint
4) The Shine Cafe
5) envy at not being massaged by a handsome man at the Delta Pointe
5) couscous is not a fruit
6) misplaced baggage, courtesy of Air Canada
7) returned baggage care of greatly confused and wandering man
8) The Larry
9) watching someone struggle with a facebook addiction

International Women's Day

(An Afghan woman holds flowers in Afghanistan during a fair to mark Women's Day at a women's park in Kabul.)

“No one will bring me flowers. My husband won't even bring me a stone. March 8th is for foreigners because they have good lives. I don't know anything about March 8th.” Qamar, an Afghan woman, on the idea of International Women's Day in Afghanistan. Officials estimate at least half of women there are forced into marriage and one out of three has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused.
© Copyright 2007 CTVglobemedia publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I am.

Love it!

I spend far to much of my time looking for complicated answers to simple questions

Quote of Day

So much unhappiness comes from trying to do what we think we're supposed to want, instead of what suits us. - Caroline Hax

I've got to say - I definetly know what I am supposed to want. The question is - what suits me? Or alternatly - what do I actually want.

All of my favourite things together in one place!

love it, love it, love it!

why don't I have lots of money and black tie events to attend?

2 random sightings

1) This weekend at Safeway, at around 2pm, there was a man (white, 30 something) in line behind me in the checkout. He placed his basket on the turning thing in the checkout line and asked the cashier if she would like him to take his groceries out of the basket. Okay - I suppose he has maybe never been to supermarket before and didn't know the proper etiquette (seriously, like the cashier wants to take out your groceries!). But then I notice that under his grey overcoat he is wearing a tuxedo. A tuxedo wearing grocery store novice. RANDOM!

2) A man (30 something, asian) on the bus around 8am turning into the university. This mild mannered looking middle aged man was wearing a backpack with the playboy bunny logo on the back. Not like a pin, but that the maker of the backpack itself was playboy. Now either this man was unaware what the logo meant, or he was making a very strange and public statement about his personal porn preferences. RANDOM!

Seattle

1) Starbucks (original, square glass box, seattle centre)
2) keyrings
3) spaceneedle
4) EMP & Frank Gehry
5) guitar modern art
6) butterflies
7) knowing more about sciene science than Devin
8) walking past the bus parking lot, under the highway
9) watching a woman getting arrested in the Jack in the Box parking lot
10) Salmon Fillet, Salmon Fillet!
11) super practical showerhead
12) yummy thai food (cozy)
13) lots of skytrain monorail
14) there's a Betsy Johnson store!
15) and Fossil sells clothes!
16) not drinking coffee
17) blustery winds
18) ginger candies
19) being happy

Me Too!

Things involving Ovens

Last night I made an apple pie! I have never made an apple pie before. It turned out except that it was super sweet. This is because I used a recipe which called for a custard to be poured over the apples - and I chose this recipe because I was looking for one which did not require me to make my own crust for the top. So in conclusion - I was super pleased and yet still disappointed. Although I learned a new word: streusel!

And sometime this week Devin is going to make me dinner. We bet if Meredith was actually dead and I won! Now he claims that she was technically dead, but the spirit of the bet was will she stay dead or come back to life - I bet come to life so I win! Now to convince him of it....

GREY'S GOSSIP

while we're on the subject...

scene: the university of victoria health centre
L sitting in chair in doctor's office
enter doctor

Doctor: Hello, How are you today?
L: Good, yourself?
Doctor: Oh Fine (reading paper) hmmmm... when the nurse told me the test was positive, I thought it was a pregnancy test.
L: Oh!
Doctor: But I see here that it's not a pregnancy test.
L: No, it's not.
Doctor: So this test did not say you were pregnant.
L: Okay.
Doctor: It probably would have been a surprise to you if you were pregnant.
L: yes.
Doctor: especially since this was not a pregnancy test.
L: right
Doctor: So I guess you could still be pregnant...
L: I'm not.
Doctor: Okay then. Onto your actual test results....

So in conclusion, I spent the same amount of time discussing test results of a test I did not take with my doctor as I did discussing the test results of the test I did take.

And Congratulations to people out there who are actually pregnant (and by people I mean Kirsten - CONGRATULATIONS!!)

What's Goin' On...

1) My oldest friend (who I am no longer friends with) is getting married! She is the first of the people I went to grade school with (that I still get info about) to get married. I want to say "she is so young!" but she is not. She's not old. But engaged at 23, married at 24 is not too young.

2) The majority of people who wrote the midterm for the class I TA for did badly. So then I feel really badly - even though it is in no way my fault. If I was ever a teacher I would want everyone to do really well on everythig. which of course is not very practical. except for the kids that do not care at all about the class or about me or about doing well. In that case I still hope they do well, but I do not feel guilty if they don't.

3) The other day I was out shopping and the woman in the store pointed out a shirt to me that was made of soy. "Have you ever worn soy before?" she asked me. To which I replied in the negative - and sadly I also did not buy the shirt so I have still never worn soy. How 2004!

A baby story

There is a woman on TLC's "A baby story" who is having a home birth - and there will be 20 people (family and friends) present for the home birth (excluding the camera crew). 20 people is the number of people I want at my wedding!* And about 19 more than I want at the birth of my child. The woman (whose husband is in Iraq) is going to let her 3 year old daughter cut the cord (if the daughter wants). I've got to say, this seems pretty intense to me. But maybe I am just old fashioned. Now I am going to go get some work done and not spend my time anaylizing the birthing rituals of strangers.

*Note: the number I want is probably significantly less than the number I will actually have...

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.

Fast Car

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere

Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

You see my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
I say his body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And we go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs
You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away
You gotta make a decision
You leave tonight or live and die this way

-Tracy Chapman

from Nepal to Victoria

Last night Devin and I went out for Nepalese food - and it was fabulous. Usually I make a reservation before we go out for dinner, but the last couple times I have done that the restaurant has been fairly empty, so I decided not to this time (just because). When we arrived it was less than half full - but then the hostess informed us that every table was reserved except for two! We ended up sitting next to another non-reservation couple who arrived about five minutes after us. They seemed to be on a second date - and all I remember from the conversation was the guy asking the girl what her mother did, the girl saying "nothing" and when asked to elborate the girl replied "nothing, she sits around smoking pot all day". Which, while perhaps sad, was amusing in the context of a second date conversation.

Now, I have to admit that I don't really know what "Nepalese food" consists of - but based on what we ordered, there are curries and lamb and chicken and dumplings involved. The restaurant was also fabulous - I am very big on "ambiance and atmosphere" and so both of those score major restaurant points with me. The service could have been better - but it wasn't horrible. And I would definetly go back! Except now I start thinking about the future and wonder "well, will I ever have a chance to go back?" but then I stop thinking those thoughts and remember that if I don't finish my thesis I might very well live here for the rest of my life as a destitute MA student. Okay. So maybe that's a little unlikely, but still!

It's a gorgeous day outside and it's currently around 11am - so I think that the next order of the day will be going outside and enjoying the weather!

blueberry pancakes

This morning I went out for breakfast with my friend. I love going out for breakfast - but it's a special treat on a Tuesday, because I never go out for breakfast on a Tuesday. I had blueberry pancakes - but no coffee. A fact which I realized around 2pm when I almost fell asleep during lecture. My friend is going to Egypt for 5 months to learn Egypt. So then I started thinking "oh, why is my life so boring, I have never gone to live in Africa" but then I remember that, in fact, at this point in time I have no desire to live in Africa - and so I can just be super-happy for my friend, getting to embark on this fabulous adventure. And because she is leaving, I had an excuse to have blueberry pancakes on a Tuesday morning :)

Wagon Wheel Song

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me
-Old Crow Medicine Show/Dylan

Grade 9

I've got a blue and red adidas bag and a humongous binder,
I'm trying my best not to look like a minor niner.
I went out for the football team to prove that I'm a man
I guess I shouldn't tell them that I like Duran Duran.
-Barenaked Ladies

Quote of the Day

Q: What is your biggest regret?
Sidney Poitier: I cannt recall what that might have been, but whatever it was, I survived it. And I have no regrets about that. Vanity Fair magazine, Feb 2007

so the other day I was thinking....

Everyone I know is getting older. I realize that every second of every day we all grow older, but in a more abstract sense of the word, I feel as though everyone I know is getting older. and so imagine my suprise when the other day it occured to me that within the next ten years I will probably have a child. That's right. Ten years is not a long time and a child is a really really big deal. So after my panic attack began to subside I thought about all the things I have done in the past ten years. I am not going to create a completely self-serving list of things - but I feel that since half-way through the 8th grade I've achomplished a fair number of things.

In grade 8 I wore black jeans pretty much everyday, still had my mom drive to me the mall (in fairness, we used to go to the across town mall to see movies with our across-town friends), did not think I was especialy beautiful, had never dated a boy, didn't know my parents as people, didn't really appreciate art and knew what I wanted out of life.

Since that time things have changed, I now wear blue jeans, take the bus all by myself, think I am beautiful, have dated a boy (a man even!), know and love my parents as the beautiful and imperfect people they are, love art and am no longer sure what I want out of life.

However, I still rarely wear skirts, I don't like to drive, I cannot do my own hair, I have never been married, I still don't know my sister as a person, I don't like ballet and I know very little about opera, and I cannot see my future.

My point is that ten years is a long time. In ten years I expect to be the person I am now, just with different priorities, a little more money, and more people to love. And at the end of my thought about having a child within ten years, I realized that when that happens I will be both ready (or as ready as one can be) and lucky, even if right now I couldn't begin to tell you where in the world I will be in ten years, or what I will be doing, or what I will think or believe. But see the thing is, in the last 10 years I have begun to trust myself. And that is why I know it will be all good.

Freaks and Geeks

This weekend when I went to the video store to rent the next installment of Arrested Development and it was not there - so instead I rented the first disc of Freaks and Geeks. I have never seen this show before, but I remember that it was critically acclaimed and it seemed like something I might like, so I brought it home and watched.

I immediately fell in love with the main character, Lindsay, who was super pretty, a really good actor and instantly invoked so much emphathy in me, the viewer. So after I finished watching the first episode, I went to look the actress up on imdb.com. Her name was Linda Cardellini - and I know her better as nurse Samantha (Sam) Taggert on ER. I occasionaly watch ER and I have to say that I find Sam super annoying, a bad actor, and not at all attractive. Anyways - I just thought that seemed quite strange how I would react so differently to the same actress in two different roles.

Okay - so not the world's most exciting weekend - but whatever :)

wanting to post.

but nothing to say.

so why post? No idea.

The last few weeks I have been renting Arrested Development on DVD. Funny stuff.

Even though school is quite intense I have been feeling pretty good lately. I don't know if it's the weather (gorgeous!) or what - but everything just seems right with the world. I'm guessing it won't last :) Today I read the Globe and Mail Saturday edition in paper format (which I love). All this talk of going to bed at 10pm has inspired me to (once again) try to consistently go to sleep earlier - because 7 hours of sleep is not enough for me. I need to alternate between 7 1/2 and 9 hours to maintain my optimum waking:sleeping ratio. I going to stop now - maybe tomorrow I will have something to say.

My name is Liz and...

I'm an Advic-o-holic.

Yes - that's right. Everyday I read advice columns. Some days I read only one. Other days I read up to four. It all depends on the day of the week. Wednesday and Thrusday are the most popular days for new advice columns. Dear Abby is the only one I read published 7 days a week. I don't know why I do this. It's not like I need advice. In fact, I think I do a pretty okay job and solving my problems and helping others with theres. And yet I have this obsession, compulsion, addiction (call it what you will) with advice columns. However, admitting your problem is the first step. And not only have I admited it, but I have helpfully added a new links section on the right-hand side directing you to some of my favourites (there are one or two I read not yet listed). So enjoy - but remeber to do so in moderation.

According to itunes...

I thought is might be interesting to share my taste in music according to how itunes assigns genres to my current 20 favourite songs...

Alternative: 3
Rock: 6
Pop: 5
Folk: 4
Soundtrack: 1
Electronica: 1

Okay - so maybe that wasn't interesting :)

Quote of the Day: "Dreams aren't broken, they begin, they end, and they begin again".

Quote of the Day brought to you by "Canada's Next Top Model"

I wanna be Izzy! (but for now I guess I will have to forgo the gorgeous looks, medical degree, $8.7mil and settle for the baking)

Yesterday I baked!

I tried two recipes from my "so you're in collge and you are an idiot and slowly straving to death and please for the love of god show me how to make something edible" cookbook*. I made nutty, toffee, chocolate square things and lemon bars. The former were fine but I do not think I would make them again. And the latter were quite good and I do think I would make them again. Also - my friend Amanda recommend epicurious.com for recipes and it's a pretty sweet website - so the next time I cook I think I will look there for inspiration.

*not really the title of the cookbook

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.)"

frivolity and ice cream

You Are Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

You are kind, popular, and generous. You tend to be successful at anything you try. A social butterfly, you are great at entertaining a crowd. You are most compatible with strawberry ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

more of the same

I think I worry too much. I never used to. I don't like this person. This worrying person. I want to be a person of action and adventure! I want to make decisions! But then I look at the lives of people around me and I'm just like "don't want your life, don't want your life, don't want your life..." which is probably good in that I am happier with my life than anyone elses - but still I feel as though I am not doing as good a job as I would like at living my life - even though I'm not exactly sure what I should be doing differently. And my new years resolution was to stop worrying about the future. well now I am worrying about the present and the future - so that's hardly an improvement. And then yesterday I (again) started to think about how 10 years from now - these years will be the time when things were "simple" and "easy".

In other news, I have started drinking Americanos in the morning (much to alex's chagrin), I have replaced my t.v. with flowers and candles (much less distracting) and I've had brunch three times in the last 8 days. So I guess it's not all bad :)

f.y.i.

"As Drew Westen of Emory University has shown, the rational regions of the brain are not engaged when people reject contrary information. Rather, using an MRI scanner, Dr. Westen has demonstrated that the pleasure centres of the brain become hyperactive and people reward themselves by rejecting the information, much as do drug addicts when taking a fix."

Now I understand why people don't agree with me when I am so obviously right.

chasing cars

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's burstin’ into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
It’s here in your perfect eyes
They're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things
Will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?