I'm listening a lot to this Best Coast song lately because it's awesome.
After a couple weeks/weekends where I felt tired and overwhelmed by life, I'm doing my best to get back on track. Funny, how when my bloody half-marathon is very close (it's Sunday... eep), that's when I get lazy.
But this week I'm getting my shit together. Slowly.
Last night, I went for a nice 7K run and backed up my computer. (I learned the importance of that after the coffee and MacBook incident).
Today I returned (somewhat) victorious to the gym after a couple weeks' absence (at least I ran a bit in the interim, right?). I had a good workout, and my former trainer didn't even notice my absence because he was sick. (I miss having a trainer, but my bank account doesn't. However it's good motivation knowing someone will judge me if I'm absent. Luckily illness intercepted judgement this time.)
Today was gray and cold and rainy and depressing. After the gym, I wandered around a bookstore and picked out a new book which is the easiest surefire cheer-up. (This is why my shelf is overflowing with books, I suppose.) I also went to the LCBO and found a favourite Belgian beer on the shelf as a treat. (Yes, my beer has probably cancelled out the exercise, but that's another matter.)
I finished another book that some dude bought for me before he disappeared from my life. My life has become a Stars song of ex-lovers leaving chocolate bars and gifts of novels written by their friends at my home. I finally unearthed the book from where I'd kicked it underneath my bed and read it. The novel itself was well-written; it was refreshing to read a book set it Toronto where I could vividly picture all of the landmarks and settings. However, it also concerned the subjects of depression and disconnect from reality, which aren't the cheeriest things. Although dark books do cheer me up so there you go. Maybe I should send a text saying that I read the book, but I really don't think I care enough to.
I did my taxes too. St. Louis spending money! Thanks transit passes and charitable deductions!
I spend a lot of time these days thinking about Belgium and Spain and the 1992-1993 Blue Jays. (I constantly watch baseball these days. Jays vs KC is on right now. Guess I can't cancel my cable.)
I really should decide where I'm going to go this summer before Claire's wedding in August. I want to go somewhere cheap. My little cousin raved about the cheapness of the Czech Republic when I saw him in London over March Break. I think that might be the place I go pre-London.
Forgive this rambly post. It's rainy and gray out.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
The saga of the R.A. Dickey bobblehead.
Preamble: I got my trusty MacBookPro back and good as new on Friday evening! Yay! It's got a brand new keyboard, so it totally feels like I'm typing on a new computer. I'm so happy to have my laptop back. I spent a lot of time this weekend using it to catch up on TV shows like The Daily Show and Dateline NBC (one of my not-so-secret TV shames).
As I've mentioned before, my pal Mathew and I got a Flex Pack of Blue Jays tickets. He loves free stuff, so he booked us for all of the promotional items days. Today was R.A. Dicky bobblehead day, and I really wanted a bobblehead. However, I figured if we got there an hour early, we'd be OK. (I actually went to the game with another friend, Mathew met us there later.)
I figured wrong. All of the bobbleheads were gone by the time we got there. I thought oh well, it was just another piece of stuff to gather dust, so who needs it even if I do kind of like Dickey because he's a swell dude and the only knuckleballer in the MLB these days. I decided that I would ease my pain with an $11 beer and get over it (after complaining on Twitter first, of course).
I also posted this picture on Instagram for my #100happydays photo challenge, reasoning that even though I didn't get the bobblehead, I was happy to be at the game.
A friend from work saw the picture on Instagram and mentioned that a group from our school was at the game today. A few of my friends organize an annual YMCA exchange. A group of kids get to go to another province (Alberta this year) and then a group from the other province comes to Toronto. The YMCA funds the airfare and accommodations. Anyway, the Albertans are in town this week, and they all went to today's Jays game. I texted my pal Nigel who was with them, and it turned out they were just a couple sections over from me. I could wave at them!
Of course, I asked if they got bobbleheads, and they did, and another friend from my school who was there happily gave me hers because she didn't want it! I wandered over to their section to get the bobblehead and was warmly greeted by the kids too. Nigel joked that the greeting made it seem like I was a celebrity and that he wanted my autograph.
There's my bobblehead with the real Dickey on the pitcher's mound. Before all of the above happened, my friend Mathew easily bought a bobblehead off of some random person. So everyone who wanted a bobblehead got it. (Well, at least in my group.)
Then, I checked Twitter, and it turned out that my blog/Twitter friend Aaron was at the game too, and his group had a spare bobblehead! My social media connections kind of pay off, eh? However, for the rest of the promotional days, I'm not going to leave it to fate, and I'll get there super early and bring a book to read before the game. Now that I have one bobblehead, I want the rest of this year's set (Jose Reyes, and TBD).
In other sports news, the Raptors just won game four of their playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets. Now the series is tied at two games each. It would be nice for a Toronto team to make it to round two of a play-off series.
And what the what? Has this become a sports blog??
As I've mentioned before, my pal Mathew and I got a Flex Pack of Blue Jays tickets. He loves free stuff, so he booked us for all of the promotional items days. Today was R.A. Dicky bobblehead day, and I really wanted a bobblehead. However, I figured if we got there an hour early, we'd be OK. (I actually went to the game with another friend, Mathew met us there later.)
I figured wrong. All of the bobbleheads were gone by the time we got there. I thought oh well, it was just another piece of stuff to gather dust, so who needs it even if I do kind of like Dickey because he's a swell dude and the only knuckleballer in the MLB these days. I decided that I would ease my pain with an $11 beer and get over it (after complaining on Twitter first, of course).
I also posted this picture on Instagram for my #100happydays photo challenge, reasoning that even though I didn't get the bobblehead, I was happy to be at the game.
A friend from work saw the picture on Instagram and mentioned that a group from our school was at the game today. A few of my friends organize an annual YMCA exchange. A group of kids get to go to another province (Alberta this year) and then a group from the other province comes to Toronto. The YMCA funds the airfare and accommodations. Anyway, the Albertans are in town this week, and they all went to today's Jays game. I texted my pal Nigel who was with them, and it turned out they were just a couple sections over from me. I could wave at them!
Of course, I asked if they got bobbleheads, and they did, and another friend from my school who was there happily gave me hers because she didn't want it! I wandered over to their section to get the bobblehead and was warmly greeted by the kids too. Nigel joked that the greeting made it seem like I was a celebrity and that he wanted my autograph.
There's my bobblehead with the real Dickey on the pitcher's mound. Before all of the above happened, my friend Mathew easily bought a bobblehead off of some random person. So everyone who wanted a bobblehead got it. (Well, at least in my group.)
Then, I checked Twitter, and it turned out that my blog/Twitter friend Aaron was at the game too, and his group had a spare bobblehead! My social media connections kind of pay off, eh? However, for the rest of the promotional days, I'm not going to leave it to fate, and I'll get there super early and bring a book to read before the game. Now that I have one bobblehead, I want the rest of this year's set (Jose Reyes, and TBD).
In other sports news, the Raptors just won game four of their playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets. Now the series is tied at two games each. It would be nice for a Toronto team to make it to round two of a play-off series.
And what the what? Has this become a sports blog??
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Oops.
Last Tuesday, during first period, I managed to spill coffee on the keyboard of my trusty MacBookPro. I thought that I completely fried it, but after bringing it to the Apple Store, it turns out that it's only the keyboard that's fried, and they can replace that for a reasonable cost. They have to order in the parts though, which will take 7-10 days, so here's hoping I have a laptop again by the end of the week.
I really did think I was going to have to replace it, since it wouldn't have been cost effective to spend too much on repairing an almost four-year-old laptop. I'm glad that I don't have to shell out the cash, but I had already selected what I would have gotten as a replacement. A new shiny toy could have been fun!
Apart from my self-inflicted laptop disaster, life has been good. On Thursday, I went to the Bloor Cinema to see The National documentary Mistaken For Strangers. It was rather quirky, but a must-see for any fan of the band. I spent three completely lazy days on Stratford. I ate a lot, watched lots of baseball & Dateline with my parents, and slept. The biggest outing I had was to Target. (Have I mentioned my love of the St Ratford Target?)
I returned back to Toronto yesterday and laced up my shoes for a run through the cemetery, then attempted drinks on a patio since it was borderline summer weather. However, it kept drizzling, so we stayed indoors. Doesn't matter, I had my first patio drinks of the year in March in Paris!
Now I'm tired of writing on my iPhone so that is all.
ps When I was telling a friend at work about my awful spill I said "Yes, I'm that awesome," sarcastically, of course. An adorable little grade nine girl heard me out of context and earnestly agreed "Yes Miss, you are awesome!" It was sweet and made me feel better.
I really did think I was going to have to replace it, since it wouldn't have been cost effective to spend too much on repairing an almost four-year-old laptop. I'm glad that I don't have to shell out the cash, but I had already selected what I would have gotten as a replacement. A new shiny toy could have been fun!
Apart from my self-inflicted laptop disaster, life has been good. On Thursday, I went to the Bloor Cinema to see The National documentary Mistaken For Strangers. It was rather quirky, but a must-see for any fan of the band. I spent three completely lazy days on Stratford. I ate a lot, watched lots of baseball & Dateline with my parents, and slept. The biggest outing I had was to Target. (Have I mentioned my love of the St Ratford Target?)
I returned back to Toronto yesterday and laced up my shoes for a run through the cemetery, then attempted drinks on a patio since it was borderline summer weather. However, it kept drizzling, so we stayed indoors. Doesn't matter, I had my first patio drinks of the year in March in Paris!
Now I'm tired of writing on my iPhone so that is all.
ps When I was telling a friend at work about my awful spill I said "Yes, I'm that awesome," sarcastically, of course. An adorable little grade nine girl heard me out of context and earnestly agreed "Yes Miss, you are awesome!" It was sweet and made me feel better.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
I have only two emotions: careful fear and dead devotion.
The past two days have been busy and wonderful.
Thursday - regular school day followed by a long student council meeting. I thought I'd have time to go home, but I went straight downtown to see The National at Massey Hall. And holifuck, it was a great show. I love this band live. I have to say that I'm developing a bit of a crush on Matt Berringer: a white-wine-drinking tall dude with scruffy graying hair and beard, and dark-framed glasses. That could be my new type. I loved when at the end of "Fake Empire" he dropped the mic, then threw his wine glass on the floor, and then left the stage. I seriously want to copy that move at my retirement party.
Bonus - I didn't know until the evening, but Daughter was the opening band. I love their latest album, and seeing them live was an excellent surprise.
Friday - LONG school day. It was the fifth year that I organized student council's overnight fast for charity. The group of forty students started by making bagged lunches for the homeless, and then we took a bus downtown. Half of the kids volunteered handing out race packets for the Toronto Yonge St. 10K, while the others did a street patrol handing out food (and then they switched). After that we returned to school for a bunch of activities. I even was able to take a break and go for a 5K run to Trinity Bellwoods Park and back.
I set up a borrowed tent in our school gym and managed to get 5.5 hrs sleep despite being at a sleepover with forty-teenagers.
Saturday - Still at school. The kids started with a yoga class, and then we made sock monkeys for another charity that sends them to children overseas. Ours will be going to South Africa this year. After that it was time for the kids to break the fast with a lunch of Portuguese chicken and then we were out. My friend Heather, who was visiting me from London ON, met me at school that afternoon and then we headed back to my neighbourhood. We went out for a couple of pints and then came back to my place to watch TV because that's all I had energy for. (I feel asleep, of course.)
Today - I woke up at 7:30 am to run the Yonge St. 10K. It had rained hard overnight; hard enough to wake me up and make me think that it didn't bode well for the morning's weather. Luckily, it cleared up and the day was sunny and the weather was fairly warm. My friend Sara was also running with us, and she met us at my place, since the starting line was within walking distance.
The race was super fun; I love being able to run down a major city street. My time was decent: 1 hr 4 minutes and 14.8 seconds. That's only 40 seconds slower than my 10K personal best, which is impressive considering that I was tired.
After the race, we went out for some delicious pizza and did a bit of congratulatory shopping. I treated myself to all-black high top Chucks. I've been living in Converse lately.
After Heather headed to the train station, I had a good two-hour nap and now I'm motivating myself to run out and get some groceries. Next week is a four-day week, but report cards are due, so that'll make it busy, and not so wonderful. But then it's the long Easter weekend, so yay!
Thursday - regular school day followed by a long student council meeting. I thought I'd have time to go home, but I went straight downtown to see The National at Massey Hall. And holifuck, it was a great show. I love this band live. I have to say that I'm developing a bit of a crush on Matt Berringer: a white-wine-drinking tall dude with scruffy graying hair and beard, and dark-framed glasses. That could be my new type. I loved when at the end of "Fake Empire" he dropped the mic, then threw his wine glass on the floor, and then left the stage. I seriously want to copy that move at my retirement party.
Bonus - I didn't know until the evening, but Daughter was the opening band. I love their latest album, and seeing them live was an excellent surprise.
Friday - LONG school day. It was the fifth year that I organized student council's overnight fast for charity. The group of forty students started by making bagged lunches for the homeless, and then we took a bus downtown. Half of the kids volunteered handing out race packets for the Toronto Yonge St. 10K, while the others did a street patrol handing out food (and then they switched). After that we returned to school for a bunch of activities. I even was able to take a break and go for a 5K run to Trinity Bellwoods Park and back.
I set up a borrowed tent in our school gym and managed to get 5.5 hrs sleep despite being at a sleepover with forty-teenagers.
Saturday - Still at school. The kids started with a yoga class, and then we made sock monkeys for another charity that sends them to children overseas. Ours will be going to South Africa this year. After that it was time for the kids to break the fast with a lunch of Portuguese chicken and then we were out. My friend Heather, who was visiting me from London ON, met me at school that afternoon and then we headed back to my neighbourhood. We went out for a couple of pints and then came back to my place to watch TV because that's all I had energy for. (I feel asleep, of course.)
Today - I woke up at 7:30 am to run the Yonge St. 10K. It had rained hard overnight; hard enough to wake me up and make me think that it didn't bode well for the morning's weather. Luckily, it cleared up and the day was sunny and the weather was fairly warm. My friend Sara was also running with us, and she met us at my place, since the starting line was within walking distance.
The race was super fun; I love being able to run down a major city street. My time was decent: 1 hr 4 minutes and 14.8 seconds. That's only 40 seconds slower than my 10K personal best, which is impressive considering that I was tired.
After the race, we went out for some delicious pizza and did a bit of congratulatory shopping. I treated myself to all-black high top Chucks. I've been living in Converse lately.
After Heather headed to the train station, I had a good two-hour nap and now I'm motivating myself to run out and get some groceries. Next week is a four-day week, but report cards are due, so that'll make it busy, and not so wonderful. But then it's the long Easter weekend, so yay!
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
2048
The kids at school and I are addicted to this game.
I think it was I who actually started it, because I was stealthily playing during a student council meeting one day, and got in trouble. (Bad role model.)
AFTER yesterday's meeting, a bunch of us sat around playing the game, when we probably all had places to go. Procrastination.
Today a student council kid walked into my classroom with a phone, and I said "No! I don't want to see! NOOOO!!!!!" and he showed me that his friend beat the game.
Across the hall my friend could hear me, and her class was wondering what was going on. "Oh, she's just yelling about the game she likes," my friend told them. They laughed at me.
I feel this is all sitcom-y, and supports my hypothesis that I'm really just a sitcom character. I often look for the cameras.
Next episode: I sleep overnight at school for a charity fundraiser. Last staff meeting it was announced we have an insect and mouse infestation. TUNE IN.
I think it was I who actually started it, because I was stealthily playing during a student council meeting one day, and got in trouble. (Bad role model.)
AFTER yesterday's meeting, a bunch of us sat around playing the game, when we probably all had places to go. Procrastination.
Today a student council kid walked into my classroom with a phone, and I said "No! I don't want to see! NOOOO!!!!!" and he showed me that his friend beat the game.
Across the hall my friend could hear me, and her class was wondering what was going on. "Oh, she's just yelling about the game she likes," my friend told them. They laughed at me.
I feel this is all sitcom-y, and supports my hypothesis that I'm really just a sitcom character. I often look for the cameras.
Next episode: I sleep overnight at school for a charity fundraiser. Last staff meeting it was announced we have an insect and mouse infestation. TUNE IN.
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