I could see for miles, miles, miles.

Random thoughts post.

1) First, I'll answer some questions from my previous post.

a) Wigsf asked me what a Body Pump class is. It's one of the fitness classes offered by GoodLife (my gym). It's a weight class where you lift barbells to strengthen different muscle groups. I was intimidated to try the class at first 'cuz there's a lot of stuff involved (weights, mats, steps, etc.) but then I did it for the first time with a friend awhile ago, and I've been trying to do it as much as possible during the summer. I don't like doing strength training at the gym. I get bored, and I hate having to wait for someone else to finish using a machine. Body Pump is lots of fun, and really hard at first, but I'm really enjoying it! The first time you do it, you really feel it, but now my body is getting used to it. But I have upped my weights for squats and my thighs are feeling it today!

b) Jabba asked me how I was liking the book Wicked. I really liked the first part of the book, but the second part hasn't kept my interest as much. However, since I'm now about 40% through the book, I'd really like to finish. I haven't gotten to the scene with the bears yet, which Jabba said was where she stopped reading, so I'm kind of scared to get to that part.

2) I downloaded the new Bon Iver album last night and I really love it. I never really got into his previous stuff, but this album is gorgeous and symphonic. It's one of those albums that you have to listen to multiple times to really figure out, and I love that.

3) I'm having a good visit with Becca T. Today we met up with our mutual friend Elaine for a sushi lunch. Fun times.

4) It's been really hot in Toronto for the past three days. We are supposed to be getting a reprieve, and I can't wait. I'm not a fan of heat.

5) Did anyone watch the ABC interview with Jaycee Dugard on Sunday night? I did, and it was pretty amazing. She's the girl who was kidnapped in California when she was 11 years old, and held captive by a couple of psychos for 18 years. She was raped by her captor and gave birth to two daughters, and they were all found in 2009. It's a pretty amazing story, and her outlook on life is amazing. She doesn't want to spend time hating or being bitter but living her life and loving it. Her story reminds me of Emma Donoghue's book Room. That book was published in 2010, so it must have been written before she was found, but the parallels are there. Jaycee wrote a book that actually came out today, but after seeing her interview, I don't think I could handle reading the book because it sounds like she describes the physical cruelty that she endured, and I was uncomfortable enough hearing about it during the interview. However, her view is that it's his shame, not hers, and she wants to stare the cruelty down in the face to overcome it. I think I read that they are re-running the interview on Saturday if you missed it and are interested.

6) On Thursday, my friend Ali is organizing a reunion party for a bunch of my university friends since Becca T is home, as is my friend Matt, who was in Azerbijan for many years. It will be lots of fun.

7) I am excited for Friday as well because I have planned belated birthday surprises for Becca T. She doesn't read this ever, so I can reveal them on here. First we are going for mani-pedis, then I've made reservations at Sassafraz, a restaurant in Yorkville (snooty neighbourhood) that we always dreamed of eating at when we were poor students in university vicariously walking around Yorkville. The restaurant once actually burned down, and we said "we should learn a lesson from this! We must take advantage of opportunities before they go away!" They repaired the place, but we've still never been. Anyway, I thought a lunch there would make a great birthday present, and today Becca T brought up Sassafraz, the fire, and the fact that we've never gone. I'm excited!

8) I'm also really excited to catch the *last* Harry Potter movie at some point this weekend!

Random thoughts post done.