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.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Talking about everything I am doing wrong.
Really, I think I'm too sensitive about things. Or that I care too much or take many things too seriously. I don't know what it is, but these character flaws of mine lead me to feel down far more often than I'd like to.
I have to focus on good things. The little things that bring me joy that will be there no matter what. So here's a happy list:
1) Kitty cat snuggles with Rilo. She's a nice cat.
2) Car sharing: this weekend, I needed a car to get to Hamilton for a Stag and Doe. Car sharing is so perfect for my lifestyle: I love having a car when I need it. The bonus was that I had the car for 24 hours, so this morning I took myself out for brunch, then went to Ikea and did a big grocery shop.
3) My classes are so nice this semester.
4) I went for a long run this evening: 13K. I am definitely ready for my 10K race on April 13th. I'm feeling better about my half marathon too. If I run at the (slowish) pace that I ran this evening, I'll be able to make the distance.
5) Laughing hard with friends. I went out on Friday night with my friend Mathew, and I had one of those very special laughing fits that feel so good.
6) Letting myself be lazy. I often think I should use every free moment to do work, train, accomplish something etc., but sometimes it's just nice to spend the morning bed catching up on the Daily Show.
7) The new Kevin Drew album. It's so good!
8) The amount of sunshine we are getting these days. And it's every so slightly warming up.
I have to focus on good things. The little things that bring me joy that will be there no matter what. So here's a happy list:
1) Kitty cat snuggles with Rilo. She's a nice cat.
2) Car sharing: this weekend, I needed a car to get to Hamilton for a Stag and Doe. Car sharing is so perfect for my lifestyle: I love having a car when I need it. The bonus was that I had the car for 24 hours, so this morning I took myself out for brunch, then went to Ikea and did a big grocery shop.
3) My classes are so nice this semester.
4) I went for a long run this evening: 13K. I am definitely ready for my 10K race on April 13th. I'm feeling better about my half marathon too. If I run at the (slowish) pace that I ran this evening, I'll be able to make the distance.
5) Laughing hard with friends. I went out on Friday night with my friend Mathew, and I had one of those very special laughing fits that feel so good.
6) Letting myself be lazy. I often think I should use every free moment to do work, train, accomplish something etc., but sometimes it's just nice to spend the morning bed catching up on the Daily Show.
7) The new Kevin Drew album. It's so good!
8) The amount of sunshine we are getting these days. And it's every so slightly warming up.
Monday, March 24, 2014
On the longest winter ever and the return of Miss Rilo.
When Shakespeare wrote of the winter of our discontent, he must have made himself a time machine and traveled to this winter that I'm living right now. It's awful. Endless. Right now it's bizarre because the days have gotten longer (yay more sunlight!) but it's still cold as anything. I gave up and hibernated yesterday. I'd had enough.
Today wasn't so bad: a balmy -5 degrees Celsius, but felt like -10. (Compare that to an average temperature of +5.) I went for an evening run, and enjoyed the fact that it was still sunlight at 7 pm.
And there is supposed to be more snow this week. Gah.
On Saturday, I drove to St. Ratford, to retrieve Miss Rilo from her vacation home at my parents' house. She is always rather happy there. I think she likes having two homes. The only thing she doesn't enjoy is the car ride that is necessary to transport her between her two homes.
On Sunday morning, as I was packing up her things, she knew what was going on and hid not-so-cleverly underneath a rocking chair in the basement. After I loaded the car, I decided to take a trip to Tim Horton's to treat my parents to some coffee. Apparently as soon as I left, she figured the coast was clear and headed back upstairs to hang with my parents. But, when I returned, she bee-lined to her hiding place.
I think her hiding was her half-hearted protest to the car ride, but she was pretty resigned as I loaded her into her carrier. No scratches, and no fighting, like other times. As soon as we returned to my place, she was her usual cheerful (and sleepy) self.
Today wasn't so bad: a balmy -5 degrees Celsius, but felt like -10. (Compare that to an average temperature of +5.) I went for an evening run, and enjoyed the fact that it was still sunlight at 7 pm.
And there is supposed to be more snow this week. Gah.
On Saturday, I drove to St. Ratford, to retrieve Miss Rilo from her vacation home at my parents' house. She is always rather happy there. I think she likes having two homes. The only thing she doesn't enjoy is the car ride that is necessary to transport her between her two homes.
On Sunday morning, as I was packing up her things, she knew what was going on and hid not-so-cleverly underneath a rocking chair in the basement. After I loaded the car, I decided to take a trip to Tim Horton's to treat my parents to some coffee. Apparently as soon as I left, she figured the coast was clear and headed back upstairs to hang with my parents. But, when I returned, she bee-lined to her hiding place.
I think her hiding was her half-hearted protest to the car ride, but she was pretty resigned as I loaded her into her carrier. No scratches, and no fighting, like other times. As soon as we returned to my place, she was her usual cheerful (and sleepy) self.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
On getting away and coming back home.
I had an amazing European March Break. London was so much fun. I got to attend my dear friend Claire's hen do, spend lots of amazing time with her, and see her house and meet her cats for the first time. Lots of wine was drunk, and many laughs were had. We went to the Ritz for afternoon tea (where I messed up the time for the reservation but they still let us in... the Ritz is classy, yo) and followed it up with amazingly decadent cocktails. Mine had gold in it, and hers was served in a duck egg in a nest of caramel.
Midweek I took the Eurostar to Paris to meet up with my BFF Becca T. It was so great to see her. She met me at Gare Du Nord and then we headed to the Latin Quarter for drinks on a patio in the sunshine. I spent most of my time in Paris wandering around my favourite neighbourhoods, going to museums, shopping, reading in gardens in the sunshine, and catching up with my dear friend.
I holidayed hard. I was exhausted by the end. I'm jet-lagged and I was back to work the day after I returned. I'm pretty hardcore. When I was in London, I met up with my 25-year-old cousin who is teaching there this year. He was amazed that I was able to meet up with him for drinks the day after an overnight flight followed by a late night party. He said "I couldn't live like that anymore," and I felt rather proud that I can out-do a 25-year-old at 34 years of age. And then, after a week of holidaying hard I was right back at work.
Last night after a long-ish day of school, I came home and went to bed at 8:30 pm. I felt way more rested today. At lunch today I treated to a jet-lagged traveler's wish come true. Staff were summoned for a meeting where we were told that a water main in the neighbourhood was broken, so the water would be turned off in the school, and we'd all have to go home for health and safety. Yes! I went home for a very nice afternoon nap.
My luggage was delayed, and I had to hang around tonight waiting for it to be delievered from between 7 pm and 10 pm. It showed up at 6 pm, and then I spend my evening running a couple of errands.
As I was walking through my neighbourhood, I realized that as much as I love traveling, I'm always happy to be home. I really do love my city, and my job, and I'm happy to be back to my regular routine and working towards my spring goals. And then I realized how truly lucky I am to get to travel and visit excellent friends overseas, and then return home to a life that I love.
And now for more sleep.
Midweek I took the Eurostar to Paris to meet up with my BFF Becca T. It was so great to see her. She met me at Gare Du Nord and then we headed to the Latin Quarter for drinks on a patio in the sunshine. I spent most of my time in Paris wandering around my favourite neighbourhoods, going to museums, shopping, reading in gardens in the sunshine, and catching up with my dear friend.
I holidayed hard. I was exhausted by the end. I'm jet-lagged and I was back to work the day after I returned. I'm pretty hardcore. When I was in London, I met up with my 25-year-old cousin who is teaching there this year. He was amazed that I was able to meet up with him for drinks the day after an overnight flight followed by a late night party. He said "I couldn't live like that anymore," and I felt rather proud that I can out-do a 25-year-old at 34 years of age. And then, after a week of holidaying hard I was right back at work.
Last night after a long-ish day of school, I came home and went to bed at 8:30 pm. I felt way more rested today. At lunch today I treated to a jet-lagged traveler's wish come true. Staff were summoned for a meeting where we were told that a water main in the neighbourhood was broken, so the water would be turned off in the school, and we'd all have to go home for health and safety. Yes! I went home for a very nice afternoon nap.
My luggage was delayed, and I had to hang around tonight waiting for it to be delievered from between 7 pm and 10 pm. It showed up at 6 pm, and then I spend my evening running a couple of errands.
As I was walking through my neighbourhood, I realized that as much as I love traveling, I'm always happy to be home. I really do love my city, and my job, and I'm happy to be back to my regular routine and working towards my spring goals. And then I realized how truly lucky I am to get to travel and visit excellent friends overseas, and then return home to a life that I love.
And now for more sleep.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
On fitness and getting away.
On Fitness
Last year, I decided that I want to try out weight training. However, I had no idea how to start doing this without hurting myself. I decided to get a personal trainer two times a week to help me with this.
At the end of about seven months, and even after my first trainer moved to Calgary, I decided that I would continue because I had really enjoyed the experience. I saw such progress in my personal fitness, and just overall energy levels, that I decided it was well worth the cost.
My second trainer (who was actually really scary intense) moved away at the beginning of the fall, and I ended up with a third trainer, who ended up being my favourite (even though I liked all of them). I kept seeing a lot of progress in my conditioning, my strength, and my energy levels, but my body weight has stayed the same over the past few months. However, in December I was diagnosed with a pesky medical condition that least it explains why the needle on the scale won't move. (Although I have lost a lot of body fat, so that's nice.)
Last Thursday was my last day with my trainer. I felt a little bit emotional at the end of it, like I graduated from school or something. I'm at the point where I can work out on my own quite fine, with workouts based on what we've been doing. However, I'll definitely miss the accountability of absolutely having to work out (and always pretty intensely). On the plus side, not having set appointments is great. If I'm done work early, I can hit the gym ASAP instead of having to kill time before my appointment.
Yesterday was my first workout on my own. I did something I call "factorial rowing", where I row 100 m, then do 12 squat-presses with dumbells, row 200 m, do 12 more squat-presses and so on until 1000 m. I killed it. One plus of training is that I know what a good workout feels like, and I can't inadvertently cheat myself.
Today was actually kind of nice out. The weather app on the phone claimed it was -7 degrees, but it felt warmer because it wasn't windy, and it was sunny out. I opted to skip the gym, and do a training run instead. (Another perk of no long having set times.) I did a decent 7K. I've been forcing myself out in some rough conditions, that running today felt SO EASY, even though I guess it was still kind of cold.
To keep myself accountable on workouts, my goal is to take some time on Sunday nights to plan my exercise for the week in my fitness journal. For each planned workout I do, I get $5 towards an extravagant purchase. If I skip a planned workout, I will deduct $5 from my total.
At the end of the day, I'm super proud of myself for keeping my 2013 fitness resolution well into 2014. I'm a stronger more energetic person who like exercising, and I'm training for a half marathon which I'm super excited for. I'm pretty good with clean eating too. I'd give myself a solid B for my eating. That's a great improvement from a solid F. :)
On Getting Away
This has been a ROUGH winter. I'm talking ice storms, something like 33 extreme cold days, and constant misery. I'm not heading anywhere tropical, but the spring-like temperatures in London and Paris are more than good enough for me.
Today I was thinking about how I'll be able to wear shoes in both these places. SHOES. OUTSIDE. It blows my mind. I'm not even sure how you do that anymore. (Note: I must remember to bring my cute red booties home from school tomorrow. I want to wear those outside.)
I also realized I'll be able to wear fun things like my jean jacket. What the what? And I won't have to pack mittens, a fuzzy scarf, nor a toque. Mind blown.
I want to go for one run in London, and one run in Paris to keep up a bit with my training. I realized that I no longer know how to dress for warmer temperature runs. How many layers do I wear????
I'm also going to do lots of fun things too, and I'm excited for that, but honestly, the lack of snow is what I'm looking forward to the most. At my parents' house, they still have banks of snow that are five feet high. It's awful.
Seriously, lack of snow might just bring me to tears of joy. Be forewarned Claire & Becca T.
Last year, I decided that I want to try out weight training. However, I had no idea how to start doing this without hurting myself. I decided to get a personal trainer two times a week to help me with this.
At the end of about seven months, and even after my first trainer moved to Calgary, I decided that I would continue because I had really enjoyed the experience. I saw such progress in my personal fitness, and just overall energy levels, that I decided it was well worth the cost.
My second trainer (who was actually really scary intense) moved away at the beginning of the fall, and I ended up with a third trainer, who ended up being my favourite (even though I liked all of them). I kept seeing a lot of progress in my conditioning, my strength, and my energy levels, but my body weight has stayed the same over the past few months. However, in December I was diagnosed with a pesky medical condition that least it explains why the needle on the scale won't move. (Although I have lost a lot of body fat, so that's nice.)
Last Thursday was my last day with my trainer. I felt a little bit emotional at the end of it, like I graduated from school or something. I'm at the point where I can work out on my own quite fine, with workouts based on what we've been doing. However, I'll definitely miss the accountability of absolutely having to work out (and always pretty intensely). On the plus side, not having set appointments is great. If I'm done work early, I can hit the gym ASAP instead of having to kill time before my appointment.
Yesterday was my first workout on my own. I did something I call "factorial rowing", where I row 100 m, then do 12 squat-presses with dumbells, row 200 m, do 12 more squat-presses and so on until 1000 m. I killed it. One plus of training is that I know what a good workout feels like, and I can't inadvertently cheat myself.
Today was actually kind of nice out. The weather app on the phone claimed it was -7 degrees, but it felt warmer because it wasn't windy, and it was sunny out. I opted to skip the gym, and do a training run instead. (Another perk of no long having set times.) I did a decent 7K. I've been forcing myself out in some rough conditions, that running today felt SO EASY, even though I guess it was still kind of cold.
To keep myself accountable on workouts, my goal is to take some time on Sunday nights to plan my exercise for the week in my fitness journal. For each planned workout I do, I get $5 towards an extravagant purchase. If I skip a planned workout, I will deduct $5 from my total.
At the end of the day, I'm super proud of myself for keeping my 2013 fitness resolution well into 2014. I'm a stronger more energetic person who like exercising, and I'm training for a half marathon which I'm super excited for. I'm pretty good with clean eating too. I'd give myself a solid B for my eating. That's a great improvement from a solid F. :)
On Getting Away
This has been a ROUGH winter. I'm talking ice storms, something like 33 extreme cold days, and constant misery. I'm not heading anywhere tropical, but the spring-like temperatures in London and Paris are more than good enough for me.
Today I was thinking about how I'll be able to wear shoes in both these places. SHOES. OUTSIDE. It blows my mind. I'm not even sure how you do that anymore. (Note: I must remember to bring my cute red booties home from school tomorrow. I want to wear those outside.)
I also realized I'll be able to wear fun things like my jean jacket. What the what? And I won't have to pack mittens, a fuzzy scarf, nor a toque. Mind blown.
I want to go for one run in London, and one run in Paris to keep up a bit with my training. I realized that I no longer know how to dress for warmer temperature runs. How many layers do I wear????
I'm also going to do lots of fun things too, and I'm excited for that, but honestly, the lack of snow is what I'm looking forward to the most. At my parents' house, they still have banks of snow that are five feet high. It's awful.
Seriously, lack of snow might just bring me to tears of joy. Be forewarned Claire & Becca T.
Monday, March 03, 2014
Is it awful if....
...as I read facebook post after facebook post, and have conversation after conversation with my friends who have children and houses who tell me about their weekends of shovelling show and waking up at 5:30 am to sign up for swimming lessons, and how their date nights turn into an opportunity to go Home Depot and buy paint for their bathrooms, and are out for dinner with their sweaters on inside out...
...that I feel really really grateful that I'm sitting on my sofa, in quiet and still, watching a dumb TV show, drinking wine, and dreaming about the reality that I'm flying to London and Paris in a few short days?
...that I feel really really grateful that I'm sitting on my sofa, in quiet and still, watching a dumb TV show, drinking wine, and dreaming about the reality that I'm flying to London and Paris in a few short days?
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Being here
I discovered this song yesterday when my Zipcar did not have an audio connector thingy so I could hook up my phone to the stereo. (There was my problem with my usual Mini Cooper, so I had to drive the Audi down the street. It was great except for the lack of connector.) Not one to be stuck to the radio, I grabbed a handful of CDs (remember those?) as I headed out the door with my grumpy cargo (Rilo) in tow.
One of the CDs I grabbed was the Arts & Crafts 10th anniversary retrospective that I got at Field Trip 2013. It made for great road trip music as I drove Rilo to Stratford for safekeeping at my parents' house as I head off to London/Paris in a few days (!).
Most of the songs are old faves for me, but the above Stills' song from 2008 was a new find and great listening for a road trip. It also made me remember of how I used to obsessively listen to the Stills' "Lola Stars & Stripes" back in 2003 before they were on AC.
Anyhow, it's been a pretty good past week, and a good weekend too. I am really excited for my upcoming trip, and have to dig out my spring coat and wash it. After weeks of extreme cold and tonnes of snow here, the 10 degree temperatures of London/Paris look amazing. I can't wait.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Heavy rotation on the CBC.
Writing hasn't been coming to me easily at all lately. I've though "oh goodness, I haven't blogged in awhile" but then realize that I'm not entirely sure what I'd even write about.
The past couple weekends and the days in between have been great though. I had a nice birthday relaxing at the spa, doing a little shopping, and heading down to Stratford to visit my parents. Last week, I had a packed social schedule, including a great Blue Rodeo show at Massey Hall with a friend who is recently back from teaching a semester in Italy.
This past weekend was really busy too. On Friday night, my friend Fea and I had a joint birthday party at a favourite neighbourhood restaurant. I had a really nice Saturday hanging out in the city, and on Sunday, I went bridesmaids' dress shopping with my friend Wendy. (I'm in her wedding.) I had to take the bus to Hamilton for this, but I did watch the hockey game live on my phone, and was really happy to see Canada repeat its hockey gold.
We got nice bridesmaids' dresses, which is great for me, because I'm going to wear mine in another wedding this summer. I'm getting good value out of my dress.
The Olympics were super fun watch, eh? This year, I wasn't feeling too excited about them, but then they happened at I had to go out and buy the new mittens and Canada sweater etc. I'm such a nerd.
I just remembered that my favourite awful TV show is on tonight: The Bachelor. This is great news, because I bought myself some fancy new wine glasses for my birthday, so it's the perfect time to open a bottle of my favourite Portuguese red and try them out.
The past couple weekends and the days in between have been great though. I had a nice birthday relaxing at the spa, doing a little shopping, and heading down to Stratford to visit my parents. Last week, I had a packed social schedule, including a great Blue Rodeo show at Massey Hall with a friend who is recently back from teaching a semester in Italy.
This past weekend was really busy too. On Friday night, my friend Fea and I had a joint birthday party at a favourite neighbourhood restaurant. I had a really nice Saturday hanging out in the city, and on Sunday, I went bridesmaids' dress shopping with my friend Wendy. (I'm in her wedding.) I had to take the bus to Hamilton for this, but I did watch the hockey game live on my phone, and was really happy to see Canada repeat its hockey gold.
We got nice bridesmaids' dresses, which is great for me, because I'm going to wear mine in another wedding this summer. I'm getting good value out of my dress.
The Olympics were super fun watch, eh? This year, I wasn't feeling too excited about them, but then they happened at I had to go out and buy the new mittens and Canada sweater etc. I'm such a nerd.
I just remembered that my favourite awful TV show is on tonight: The Bachelor. This is great news, because I bought myself some fancy new wine glasses for my birthday, so it's the perfect time to open a bottle of my favourite Portuguese red and try them out.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Still pretty good year. (Birthday edition.)
Tomorrow is my last day of being 33.
I was comfortable with the number 33. For some reason the number 34 feels a little surreal to me. Maybe it's the fact that it marks the mathematical beginning of my mid-thirties.
I still like being in my thirties way better than being in my twenties. I'm more confident, more willing to take risks, and more open. But still, sometimes being more open and willing to take risks can lead to being hurt, which is exactly why I kept closed up a lot of the time in my twenties.
Regardless of my apprehension, 34 will come, and I'm certain it will be a good age. I have a feeling things are on an upswing.
Usually for my birthday, I have a big dinner & drinks event for my friends but this year, I didn't feel like planning one. Instead, I'm going to spend the day doing EXACTLY what I want. I'm getting a massage, eating a free three-course meal at the spa, going shopping, and then taking the train home to visit my parents. And I will have red wine on the train. I don't think I need anything else.
I was comfortable with the number 33. For some reason the number 34 feels a little surreal to me. Maybe it's the fact that it marks the mathematical beginning of my mid-thirties.
I still like being in my thirties way better than being in my twenties. I'm more confident, more willing to take risks, and more open. But still, sometimes being more open and willing to take risks can lead to being hurt, which is exactly why I kept closed up a lot of the time in my twenties.
Regardless of my apprehension, 34 will come, and I'm certain it will be a good age. I have a feeling things are on an upswing.
Usually for my birthday, I have a big dinner & drinks event for my friends but this year, I didn't feel like planning one. Instead, I'm going to spend the day doing EXACTLY what I want. I'm getting a massage, eating a free three-course meal at the spa, going shopping, and then taking the train home to visit my parents. And I will have red wine on the train. I don't think I need anything else.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Awww.
Becca T left this morning. :( What a short but awesome visit with my bestie. Last night after work I went to the Bay and bought us the 2014 Canadian Olympic mittens and we watched the Olympics (and The Bachelor... my shame) while wearing our mittens and drinking red wine.
We also did silly things like send our pal Mathew hints of jewelry we liked from the Tiffany website, and I swear, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
The good news is that I'll see her in exactly a month tomorrow. I booked my Eurostar train from London to Paris for March Break, so hey, Paris here I officially come on March 12th!
Even though, I'm still feeling a bit mopey coming home to an empty house tonight. Even Rilo seemed a little bit sad/concerned when I walked in. She was very talkative, which is not usual for her.
Luckily, I have more Olympic to watch, and thanks to Siobhan for hooking me up with the new Beck song. What great moping music!
We also did silly things like send our pal Mathew hints of jewelry we liked from the Tiffany website, and I swear, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
The good news is that I'll see her in exactly a month tomorrow. I booked my Eurostar train from London to Paris for March Break, so hey, Paris here I officially come on March 12th!
Even though, I'm still feeling a bit mopey coming home to an empty house tonight. Even Rilo seemed a little bit sad/concerned when I walked in. She was very talkative, which is not usual for her.
Luckily, I have more Olympic to watch, and thanks to Siobhan for hooking me up with the new Beck song. What great moping music!
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Baby you're a firework.
I had a busy week getting used to a new semester. Five days in, and I think that yet again I'm blessed with great classes, although I do miss my old ones.
On Thursday, I had a little bit of time to kill, so I started reading Robyn Doolittle's book on Mayor Rob Ford at a bookstore. As you all know, it's a rather sordid dark affair riddled with addiction, crime, and corruption, and sorts nastiness. Doolittle is one of the Toronto Star reporters who saw the infamous tape and was integral in breaking many of the scandals associated with our mayor, and she recently published this book. I had no interest in reading it, but then I picked it up in the bookstore, started to read it, and it was quite the page-turner, so I bought it and finished it in three days. There's not a whole lot there that I didn't know before, but reading it all together in one place makes me realize how it's crazy that this awful man with no ethics or integrity is mayor. I used to feel sorry for him because he obviously has addictions and demons, but his stubbornness and unwillingness to do the right thing (i.e. step down), negates him from any sympathy in my books.
Anyway, I also watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics at my friend Mathew's house on Friday night. He made a Russian goulash. It was tasty, and watching the opening ceremonies was fun.
On Saturday I had a good sleep in, then sat on my couch and watched a good three hours of Olympics. After which I got myself and my home ready for my dear Becca T's arrival! We had a super fun evening: we caught up on music, funny things on YouTube, ordered Swiss Chalet, and watched the Katy Perry movie.
I had an excellent Sunday. I went for brunch at a friend's house so I could see her house and her new baby. Then I came home and went for a nice outdoor winter run in the snow. Becca T and I met up with some friends for sushi for dinner. What a nice day.
Oh, also on our walk home from sushi, I came across a February Metropass (monthly TTC pass, cost = $133.75) on the ground. We ran up to the girl ahead of us on the street to see if it was hers, but it wasn't. There was no one else around. I feel bad when people lose things. Anyway, Becca will be able to use it tomorrow to get around town, and then I'm going to give to a colleague at school to give to a student in financial need.
That was my week/weekend. As always, the weekends go so quickly!
On Thursday, I had a little bit of time to kill, so I started reading Robyn Doolittle's book on Mayor Rob Ford at a bookstore. As you all know, it's a rather sordid dark affair riddled with addiction, crime, and corruption, and sorts nastiness. Doolittle is one of the Toronto Star reporters who saw the infamous tape and was integral in breaking many of the scandals associated with our mayor, and she recently published this book. I had no interest in reading it, but then I picked it up in the bookstore, started to read it, and it was quite the page-turner, so I bought it and finished it in three days. There's not a whole lot there that I didn't know before, but reading it all together in one place makes me realize how it's crazy that this awful man with no ethics or integrity is mayor. I used to feel sorry for him because he obviously has addictions and demons, but his stubbornness and unwillingness to do the right thing (i.e. step down), negates him from any sympathy in my books.
Anyway, I also watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics at my friend Mathew's house on Friday night. He made a Russian goulash. It was tasty, and watching the opening ceremonies was fun.
On Saturday I had a good sleep in, then sat on my couch and watched a good three hours of Olympics. After which I got myself and my home ready for my dear Becca T's arrival! We had a super fun evening: we caught up on music, funny things on YouTube, ordered Swiss Chalet, and watched the Katy Perry movie.
I had an excellent Sunday. I went for brunch at a friend's house so I could see her house and her new baby. Then I came home and went for a nice outdoor winter run in the snow. Becca T and I met up with some friends for sushi for dinner. What a nice day.
Oh, also on our walk home from sushi, I came across a February Metropass (monthly TTC pass, cost = $133.75) on the ground. We ran up to the girl ahead of us on the street to see if it was hers, but it wasn't. There was no one else around. I feel bad when people lose things. Anyway, Becca will be able to use it tomorrow to get around town, and then I'm going to give to a colleague at school to give to a student in financial need.
That was my week/weekend. As always, the weekends go so quickly!
Sunday, February 02, 2014
When you float like a cannonball.
Point form summary of the past few days:
1) The National is playing three shows at Massey Hall, and I was unaware. Once I became aware, I checked and most of the tickets were sold out, but I could still find some decent single seats for one night. I figured why not?, and bought one for myself. I like taking myself on dates to see bands.
2) I got sick on Thursday. I think it was food poisoning or something. Anyway, I was lucky that we had a morning exam, and I left as soon as I could to go sleep. I even had to cancel my usual Thursday workout.
3) Thankfully I felt better on Friday. I had an exam on Friday morning, then spent the afternoon preparing for semester two.
4) After school on Friday, my friend Fea and I went to the spa and then out for dinner afterwards. It was really relaxing and really nice.
5) I got back into the winter running groove this weekend. I did a short run (4.8 km) yesterday, and a long run (9.7 km) today. My feet got wet, but I stayed warm. I enjoyed both runs, and I'm thankful for the cemetery for being a great place to run; not a lot of slush builds up on cemetery pathways.
6) I finished all of my semester one marking last night at the neighbourhood Starbucks with my pal Fea. Yay!
7) I scheduled a hair appointment for 4 pm today, but as I was hopping on the streetcar, my stylist called me to tell me he was running late, and asked if I could come in an hour later. That meant I had an hour to kill in Kensington Market which was great! I went to Fresh Collective, which is one of my favourite indie clothing stores. They were having a massive sale, and I scored a dress and two pairs of really nice shoes (for spring though) all for about $100. I saved over $324 off their full prices. I can wear the new dress tomorrow but the shoes will have to wait.
8) After my hair cut, I stopped by the vinyl store Sonic Boom, and found a limited edition live album by Damien Rice. He hasn't put out anything new in years and year (in fact he only has two very good LPs to his name), but the one time I saw him (in the fall of 2007) was one of my favourite shows ever. Anyway, this little live album is great, and a nice reminder of how much I love his songs.
9) Oh, my friend Karen scored us tickets to Neko Case at Massey Hall in May. Yay!
Well, I should get ready for bed. I no longer have first period prep, so I have to get to school earlier to avoid stress. Hope you all have nice Mondays!
1) The National is playing three shows at Massey Hall, and I was unaware. Once I became aware, I checked and most of the tickets were sold out, but I could still find some decent single seats for one night. I figured why not?, and bought one for myself. I like taking myself on dates to see bands.
2) I got sick on Thursday. I think it was food poisoning or something. Anyway, I was lucky that we had a morning exam, and I left as soon as I could to go sleep. I even had to cancel my usual Thursday workout.
3) Thankfully I felt better on Friday. I had an exam on Friday morning, then spent the afternoon preparing for semester two.
4) After school on Friday, my friend Fea and I went to the spa and then out for dinner afterwards. It was really relaxing and really nice.
5) I got back into the winter running groove this weekend. I did a short run (4.8 km) yesterday, and a long run (9.7 km) today. My feet got wet, but I stayed warm. I enjoyed both runs, and I'm thankful for the cemetery for being a great place to run; not a lot of slush builds up on cemetery pathways.
6) I finished all of my semester one marking last night at the neighbourhood Starbucks with my pal Fea. Yay!
7) I scheduled a hair appointment for 4 pm today, but as I was hopping on the streetcar, my stylist called me to tell me he was running late, and asked if I could come in an hour later. That meant I had an hour to kill in Kensington Market which was great! I went to Fresh Collective, which is one of my favourite indie clothing stores. They were having a massive sale, and I scored a dress and two pairs of really nice shoes (for spring though) all for about $100. I saved over $324 off their full prices. I can wear the new dress tomorrow but the shoes will have to wait.
8) After my hair cut, I stopped by the vinyl store Sonic Boom, and found a limited edition live album by Damien Rice. He hasn't put out anything new in years and year (in fact he only has two very good LPs to his name), but the one time I saw him (in the fall of 2007) was one of my favourite shows ever. Anyway, this little live album is great, and a nice reminder of how much I love his songs.
9) Oh, my friend Karen scored us tickets to Neko Case at Massey Hall in May. Yay!
Well, I should get ready for bed. I no longer have first period prep, so I have to get to school earlier to avoid stress. Hope you all have nice Mondays!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Adorable
It's exam week. First semester is on its last legs (which means I'm almost 50% to summer). This also means that I have to say goodbye to my classes of the past five months, which is always a little bit sad to me. I have a speech that I give on the last day, about how I've truly enjoyed teaching each and every one of them, and how I will miss them. (And it's always true, even though it sounds cheesy.)
Today my grade tens wrote their exams. As a kid hands in their exam, I like to shake his or her hand, and congratulate them on finishing their exam. When it comes to quizzes, tests, and exams, I'm known for my thoroughness, and finishing my exam is an accomplishment. The first couple of kids who hand in their exam and get a handshake look at me like I'm a weirdo, but then they all warm up and get into the congratulatory handshake.
As I shook one student's hand, he paused and then said to me "Miss, thank you for being my science teacher for the past two years." (He had me in grade 9.) My heart melted. Maybe you had to be there, but it was one of the most earnest, heartfelt thank yous that I've gotten, and it really made my day. I think it was especially meaningful because he was a quiet kid, and he said it in front of the rest of the class, and it was just very touching.
And it totally reminded me why I love my job.
Today my grade tens wrote their exams. As a kid hands in their exam, I like to shake his or her hand, and congratulate them on finishing their exam. When it comes to quizzes, tests, and exams, I'm known for my thoroughness, and finishing my exam is an accomplishment. The first couple of kids who hand in their exam and get a handshake look at me like I'm a weirdo, but then they all warm up and get into the congratulatory handshake.
As I shook one student's hand, he paused and then said to me "Miss, thank you for being my science teacher for the past two years." (He had me in grade 9.) My heart melted. Maybe you had to be there, but it was one of the most earnest, heartfelt thank yous that I've gotten, and it really made my day. I think it was especially meaningful because he was a quiet kid, and he said it in front of the rest of the class, and it was just very touching.
And it totally reminded me why I love my job.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Too cold.
Last weekend I was all about the winter running. This weekend, not so much. I couldn't even drag myself out in the cold to run indoors at the gym.
Friday night I had dinner & drinks with some friends, then came home and went to bed pretty early. It was super windy and cold out and I was glad not to have to go anywhere.
The rest of my weekend was devoted to a little bit of errand running, lots of time marking with my friend Fea at our local Starbucks, reading, and sleeping. And, huge drumroll please, I am actually done with the monotonous overwhelming chore that is marking. Well, until Wednesday when exams start rolling in. But it's nice to be caught up, and I'm going to relish it for awhile.
And that was my weekend. I'm sure now that I'm all caught up with my marking, I'll have time to think of more interesting things to blog about this week. Until then, happy Monday everyone.
Friday night I had dinner & drinks with some friends, then came home and went to bed pretty early. It was super windy and cold out and I was glad not to have to go anywhere.
The rest of my weekend was devoted to a little bit of errand running, lots of time marking with my friend Fea at our local Starbucks, reading, and sleeping. And, huge drumroll please, I am actually done with the monotonous overwhelming chore that is marking. Well, until Wednesday when exams start rolling in. But it's nice to be caught up, and I'm going to relish it for awhile.
And that was my weekend. I'm sure now that I'm all caught up with my marking, I'll have time to think of more interesting things to blog about this week. Until then, happy Monday everyone.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
I'm in misery where you can seem as old as your omens.
I've recently really gotten into Chvrches. I love the album The Bones of What We Believe and this song especially.
Oh January, I keep trying to like you, I really do. But you're so cold and dark, and you're going on for what seems like an eternity. When it comes to my life, I feel like I'm in this weird limbo where I'm waiting for something to happen. I have lots of things to look forward to starting next month (visit from Becca T, my birthday, Blue Rodeo, then my March break trip to Europe), but I gotta get through the work and drudgery that comes with this month.
I think this is at least my second post complaining about this month.
But, I do have down time, which I have been craving so badly after the whirlwind that was the entire year of 2013. I'm rocking at the healthy living thing: I'm continuing all of good habits around making my own lunches and eating clean during the week. I'm exercising lots.
I'm reading a lot. I'm on my fourth book of the year.
Also, I feel that lots of good things are on the horizon, but I'm a little impatient for them during these dark cold days.
I just want some sunshine.
Oh January, I keep trying to like you, I really do. But you're so cold and dark, and you're going on for what seems like an eternity. When it comes to my life, I feel like I'm in this weird limbo where I'm waiting for something to happen. I have lots of things to look forward to starting next month (visit from Becca T, my birthday, Blue Rodeo, then my March break trip to Europe), but I gotta get through the work and drudgery that comes with this month.
I think this is at least my second post complaining about this month.
But, I do have down time, which I have been craving so badly after the whirlwind that was the entire year of 2013. I'm rocking at the healthy living thing: I'm continuing all of good habits around making my own lunches and eating clean during the week. I'm exercising lots.
I'm reading a lot. I'm on my fourth book of the year.
Also, I feel that lots of good things are on the horizon, but I'm a little impatient for them during these dark cold days.
I just want some sunshine.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
The cold never bothered me anyway.
I never thought that I'd come to enjoy winter running.
I've been running consistently for almost three years now (I did my first race in 2011), and I'd do all of my training on a treadmill when the temperatures were cold, or it was raining, or when it was too hot. I actually didn't mind treadmill running: it was easier, and there was zero discomfort.
However, I've come to the point where I detest the treadmill, and love the challenges that come with running outdoors. This is the first time that I've been running into the winter months of December and January, and I'm getting addicted.
Yesterday was a lovely day for a winter run. It was sunny out, perhaps about -2 degrees Celsius, and there was no wind. The pavement was mainly clear of ice and free of slush, unlike the messy conditions last weekend, and my easy short training run was a breeze.
Today I had to do my long training run of 8 km. (My long runs are going to progress in length and I keep training for my half marathon.) It's cloudy today, about -5 degrees Celsius, there's a bit of wind, and it wasn't snowing when I started, but by the time I was 6 km, there were big flakes of snow steadily coming down.
The last bit of my run was super challenging: I was running uphill into the wind, and I was trying to finish in a certain time. I managed to do it, and I felt super happy that I was able to battle the wind and snow.
I managed to plan my run so that it ended a few metres away from my neighbourhood Starbucks, so I warmed up with a coffee which was really nice. I watched a few other runners go by on the street and saw a girl with purple legwarmers. I think I need purple legwarmers.
I hope next weekend's running conditions are as nice as this one's.
And I'm in love with this song these days.
I've been running consistently for almost three years now (I did my first race in 2011), and I'd do all of my training on a treadmill when the temperatures were cold, or it was raining, or when it was too hot. I actually didn't mind treadmill running: it was easier, and there was zero discomfort.
However, I've come to the point where I detest the treadmill, and love the challenges that come with running outdoors. This is the first time that I've been running into the winter months of December and January, and I'm getting addicted.
Yesterday was a lovely day for a winter run. It was sunny out, perhaps about -2 degrees Celsius, and there was no wind. The pavement was mainly clear of ice and free of slush, unlike the messy conditions last weekend, and my easy short training run was a breeze.
Today I had to do my long training run of 8 km. (My long runs are going to progress in length and I keep training for my half marathon.) It's cloudy today, about -5 degrees Celsius, there's a bit of wind, and it wasn't snowing when I started, but by the time I was 6 km, there were big flakes of snow steadily coming down.
The last bit of my run was super challenging: I was running uphill into the wind, and I was trying to finish in a certain time. I managed to do it, and I felt super happy that I was able to battle the wind and snow.
I managed to plan my run so that it ended a few metres away from my neighbourhood Starbucks, so I warmed up with a coffee which was really nice. I watched a few other runners go by on the street and saw a girl with purple legwarmers. I think I need purple legwarmers.
I hope next weekend's running conditions are as nice as this one's.
And I'm in love with this song these days.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Epic Sleep and Epic Planning
Yesterday I was TIRED. I went to bed at 9:30 pm and had the most epic of sleeps. And I think it made for a good Wednesday.
School was pleasant. I played test review Jeopardy! with my grade nines and the game got heated. I love it when when kids get excited about nerdy things like playing Jeopardy! Especially when it's the kids who aren't the most "scholastic" if you will. I'm good at tricking them into learning despite themselves.
After school I went marking with a friend, then had a great workout at the gym. Oh and before the gym I bought a black tshirt with birds because I believe in putting birds on things a la Portlandia. In fact I put a bird on it, before that was a thing.
After that, I came home booked my flight to St. Louis for the long weekend in May. I'm so excited that this trip came together. All friends are book in, hotel is booked, flight is booked. All we need now are the baseball tickets.
Then I marked a bit. But then a friend texted me to see if I wanted to sign up for the Yonge St. 10K race in April and I said why not and planned that too.
Then I got a text from a faraway friend about a potential fall visit.
I'm liking 2014 so far. I feel like I'm going to see so many amazing people and do lots of amazing things. :)
School was pleasant. I played test review Jeopardy! with my grade nines and the game got heated. I love it when when kids get excited about nerdy things like playing Jeopardy! Especially when it's the kids who aren't the most "scholastic" if you will. I'm good at tricking them into learning despite themselves.
After school I went marking with a friend, then had a great workout at the gym. Oh and before the gym I bought a black tshirt with birds because I believe in putting birds on things a la Portlandia. In fact I put a bird on it, before that was a thing.
After that, I came home booked my flight to St. Louis for the long weekend in May. I'm so excited that this trip came together. All friends are book in, hotel is booked, flight is booked. All we need now are the baseball tickets.
Then I marked a bit. But then a friend texted me to see if I wanted to sign up for the Yonge St. 10K race in April and I said why not and planned that too.
Then I got a text from a faraway friend about a potential fall visit.
I'm liking 2014 so far. I feel like I'm going to see so many amazing people and do lots of amazing things. :)
Monday, January 13, 2014
Weekends come and go too quickly.
So quickly in fact, that I didn't even have time to blog about it.
I had a rather productive weekend. My marking was neglected, but I got to household chores like laundry, taking down my Christmas decorations (a little late), grocery shopping, cooking food for healthy lunches all week, and even giving my fridge a good scrubbing. I was pleased.
Of course, I got up to a lot of fun too. And, I found out that my idea of a 31-day fast from alcohol, was well, maybe not doable at this time. I wanted to detox after an indulgent holiday season, and also felt like 31 days without a drink could help me with my health and fitness goals.
But then my colleagues organized a fun dinner/drinks after school on Friday, and I'll be honest, it had been a long dramatic week at work. My best intentions were vanquished, and there I was having beer, a burger, and then a fried Mars bar at a Scottish pub. (I'm really excellent at making the most of my sanctioned cheat meals.) It was all needed.
On Saturday, in between all of the household chores, I got my nails done, and then went to see the movie Frozen with my friend Elaine. It was rather adorable. Go see it if you need a nice little fairy tale with a funny snowman as comic relief.
On Sunday, the thought of going to the gym displeased my soul, so I laced my up my runners and decided to brave an outdoor run. It had warmed up over the weekend, but there was still lots of ice and slush leftover from the yucky winter weather. Most stretches of the sidewalk on main streets were pretty clear, but there were areas, such as the sidewalks by the cemetery, that were awful, and I had to stop running and walk over ice covered with slush and water. My feet got soaked. However, overall it was a pretty good run, and it was my official first run in my half-marathon training program. Crazy to think that after that easy & slow 4.8 km, I'll work my way up to 21.1 km by May!
My pal Mathew needed to go a mall out in the suburbs (Vaughn Mills) to return something, so I went with him just for fun. And, even if my self control is lacking when it comes to alcohol, I managed to leave the mall with only spending $8 on a new water bottle and root beer candies. Yay me!
I wasted my Sunday night watching the Golden Globes. Meh.
And then I survived this Monday. Four more days until the next weekend.
I had a rather productive weekend. My marking was neglected, but I got to household chores like laundry, taking down my Christmas decorations (a little late), grocery shopping, cooking food for healthy lunches all week, and even giving my fridge a good scrubbing. I was pleased.
Of course, I got up to a lot of fun too. And, I found out that my idea of a 31-day fast from alcohol, was well, maybe not doable at this time. I wanted to detox after an indulgent holiday season, and also felt like 31 days without a drink could help me with my health and fitness goals.
But then my colleagues organized a fun dinner/drinks after school on Friday, and I'll be honest, it had been a long dramatic week at work. My best intentions were vanquished, and there I was having beer, a burger, and then a fried Mars bar at a Scottish pub. (I'm really excellent at making the most of my sanctioned cheat meals.) It was all needed.
On Saturday, in between all of the household chores, I got my nails done, and then went to see the movie Frozen with my friend Elaine. It was rather adorable. Go see it if you need a nice little fairy tale with a funny snowman as comic relief.
On Sunday, the thought of going to the gym displeased my soul, so I laced my up my runners and decided to brave an outdoor run. It had warmed up over the weekend, but there was still lots of ice and slush leftover from the yucky winter weather. Most stretches of the sidewalk on main streets were pretty clear, but there were areas, such as the sidewalks by the cemetery, that were awful, and I had to stop running and walk over ice covered with slush and water. My feet got soaked. However, overall it was a pretty good run, and it was my official first run in my half-marathon training program. Crazy to think that after that easy & slow 4.8 km, I'll work my way up to 21.1 km by May!
My pal Mathew needed to go a mall out in the suburbs (Vaughn Mills) to return something, so I went with him just for fun. And, even if my self control is lacking when it comes to alcohol, I managed to leave the mall with only spending $8 on a new water bottle and root beer candies. Yay me!
I wasted my Sunday night watching the Golden Globes. Meh.
And then I survived this Monday. Four more days until the next weekend.
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
London & Paris
Flights are booked! And the price was fairly reasonable!
I leave Toronto on Friday March 7th, and arrive in London the next morning, where I'll stay chez Claire for a few days.
Then, I'll take the Eurostar to Paris to see my dear friend Becca T for a few days. I'll return to Toronto on Sunday March 16th, and will be in bed by 10 pm for the next school day.
That's a great cure for the January blahs.
I leave Toronto on Friday March 7th, and arrive in London the next morning, where I'll stay chez Claire for a few days.
Then, I'll take the Eurostar to Paris to see my dear friend Becca T for a few days. I'll return to Toronto on Sunday March 16th, and will be in bed by 10 pm for the next school day.
That's a great cure for the January blahs.
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Little Cures for the January Blahs
Even though the holidays and the new year with its shiny new glow aren't too far behind me, the January blahs have hit, and they've hit me hard. January is a yucky month at work: the final push of the last semester. I'm trying to cover the rest of the curriculum, finish all of the term marking that I neglected over the holidays, write exams, do report cards and then prepare for the new semester in February. It's a busy but not fun time, and of course, I am dealing with the mountain of work by procrastinating.
On top of that, the weather's been atrocious. I had my fingers cross for an extreme wind chill day today, or even a snow day yesterday, but that didn't happen. The Toronto boards rarely declare snow days: I've had one in almost ten years of teaching here. Even with the awful weather, my thinking was highly wishful.
As I was blah-ing home from work, I realized that I needed to make myself an internal happy list of things that make me feel better in this cold, dark, month that's void of any real fun. Here's what I've brainstormed.
1) My Hunter boots with fleece lining: I don't know what it's like to have wet or cold feet anymore! My Hunters are one of my best purchases ever.
2) Hot Chocolate - even though I'm trying to avoid the white stuff (sugar), an evening mug is my one allowance at the end of the day
3) Exercise - because I was sick this weekend and yesterday (and it was too cold last night to leave my place), I went three days without exercising. I was in a foul mood after work today, but I went to the gym and had a great workout and I feel so much better. Even the vast influx of new year's resolutioners didn't annoy me too much.
4) Books - I'll always have books.
5) Trip planning - last night, a couple of friends and made plans to have a tri-blogger conference in St. Louis at a Cardinals game over the long weekend in May. It looks like I'll be booking my flight shortly.
Also, I started browsing March Break flights into London and out of Paris. I'll be booking that soon too.
6) Sleep - I love a good sleep. Since it's too cold to go out, I can sleep more.
7) The Bachelor this season is rather hawt. That's my love-to-hate show and I'm glad it's back.
8) The fact that it's now less than six weeks until a long weekend in February.
Hurrah! I feel a little less blah now.
On top of that, the weather's been atrocious. I had my fingers cross for an extreme wind chill day today, or even a snow day yesterday, but that didn't happen. The Toronto boards rarely declare snow days: I've had one in almost ten years of teaching here. Even with the awful weather, my thinking was highly wishful.
As I was blah-ing home from work, I realized that I needed to make myself an internal happy list of things that make me feel better in this cold, dark, month that's void of any real fun. Here's what I've brainstormed.
1) My Hunter boots with fleece lining: I don't know what it's like to have wet or cold feet anymore! My Hunters are one of my best purchases ever.
2) Hot Chocolate - even though I'm trying to avoid the white stuff (sugar), an evening mug is my one allowance at the end of the day
3) Exercise - because I was sick this weekend and yesterday (and it was too cold last night to leave my place), I went three days without exercising. I was in a foul mood after work today, but I went to the gym and had a great workout and I feel so much better. Even the vast influx of new year's resolutioners didn't annoy me too much.
4) Books - I'll always have books.
5) Trip planning - last night, a couple of friends and made plans to have a tri-blogger conference in St. Louis at a Cardinals game over the long weekend in May. It looks like I'll be booking my flight shortly.
Also, I started browsing March Break flights into London and out of Paris. I'll be booking that soon too.
6) Sleep - I love a good sleep. Since it's too cold to go out, I can sleep more.
7) The Bachelor this season is rather hawt. That's my love-to-hate show and I'm glad it's back.
8) The fact that it's now less than six weeks until a long weekend in February.
Hurrah! I feel a little less blah now.
Sunday, January 05, 2014
End of (holi)days.
I always get melancholy when the holidays end. I'm doing my best to keep my spirits up today. On top of the end of holidays, I've also succumbed to an annoying cold, which has caused me to hibernate for most of the weekend.
I went out yesterday to see my friends Jon & Ali. When I saw them in November, Jon realized he got his haircut in my neighbourhood, and he decided that he would use his haircuts as a strategy to get together more often. Whenever he'd get his haircut, he'd text me to see if I was around, and we'd go for coffee. Ali was able to leave their kids with the neighbours, so I got to see both of them! I guess that's how friendships go in your thirties... you need things like haircuts and neighbours to bring you together.
Anyway, it was great seeing them, and Jon is prepping to run an entire marathon in the spring, so I got to ask him some advice before I start training for my half. I realize that when I go for my longer runs, I'm going to need to bring an energy source (gels? Gatorade?) with me. I asked his advice, and he passed along a great trick: a gummy bear every five minutes. Apparently one gummy bear is the energy you need for five minutes, and if you keep eating them continuously through a long run, they should get you to the finish line. I am so excited to try this out! That's a reward for every five minutes! Love it. I'm excited to try this.
Today I slept in and dragged myself out to buy a new dress that I had my eye on, because wearing it tomorrow will give me something to look forward to, right? I also stopped by the library, got a latte, got some cold medication, and got groceries. Now I'm making some veggie chili to eat for dinner and also have for healthy lunches during the week. Yay for starting the new year off with good habits.
I'm also starting my one month alcohol fast today. So no drinks until February 5th, with an exception: there is an off chance that I might get some good news, and if that happens, I get to break the fast. But it might not happen just yet. (This news will happen eventually though... just a matter of when.)
Okay, dinner, a little bit of reading, then I have to do some marking. Oh school nights, how I have *not* missed you.
I went out yesterday to see my friends Jon & Ali. When I saw them in November, Jon realized he got his haircut in my neighbourhood, and he decided that he would use his haircuts as a strategy to get together more often. Whenever he'd get his haircut, he'd text me to see if I was around, and we'd go for coffee. Ali was able to leave their kids with the neighbours, so I got to see both of them! I guess that's how friendships go in your thirties... you need things like haircuts and neighbours to bring you together.
Anyway, it was great seeing them, and Jon is prepping to run an entire marathon in the spring, so I got to ask him some advice before I start training for my half. I realize that when I go for my longer runs, I'm going to need to bring an energy source (gels? Gatorade?) with me. I asked his advice, and he passed along a great trick: a gummy bear every five minutes. Apparently one gummy bear is the energy you need for five minutes, and if you keep eating them continuously through a long run, they should get you to the finish line. I am so excited to try this out! That's a reward for every five minutes! Love it. I'm excited to try this.
Today I slept in and dragged myself out to buy a new dress that I had my eye on, because wearing it tomorrow will give me something to look forward to, right? I also stopped by the library, got a latte, got some cold medication, and got groceries. Now I'm making some veggie chili to eat for dinner and also have for healthy lunches during the week. Yay for starting the new year off with good habits.
I'm also starting my one month alcohol fast today. So no drinks until February 5th, with an exception: there is an off chance that I might get some good news, and if that happens, I get to break the fast. But it might not happen just yet. (This news will happen eventually though... just a matter of when.)
Okay, dinner, a little bit of reading, then I have to do some marking. Oh school nights, how I have *not* missed you.
Friday, January 03, 2014
So this is the new year.
Well, I've made it through the first two days of 2014, and I'm liking this new year so far.
NYE was a fun day/night. My pal Vern (Go9) came down, and we got pedicures at the nicest nail spa in my neighbourhood. Then we dropped by my local cheese emporium, and got the most delicious brie that we enjoyed on crackers with mimosas while sort of watching the movie Pitch Perfect. We then met up with friends for an amazing dinner at Harlem Underground (fried chicken + waffles = OMG). Finally, we topped off the night by sticking it out for both of Elliott Brood's sets at Lee's Palace. I got home by 3 am, which is a sign of a great New Year's.
Yesterday, I just stayed indoors and watched a bunch of Dateline NBC online. My friend Mathew is obsessed with Dateline, and somehow I've also gotten hooked. I know there are better things on TV but yesterday, I just needed something to numb my senses, and watching something like 7 episodes did the trick.
Today was a super fun day. I hosted two of my work pals and their four-year-old daughters for lunch. I made chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, and the kids tried to coax Rilo out from her hiding spot. Rilo is used to adults, and is the friendliest cat around adults, but she was really confused/alarmed by small energetic humans. Eventually, the girls started to build forts using my blankets and furniture, and let Rilo be for awhile. After forts, they started to draw maps of how to find Rilo, and Rilo ventured out while they were busy drawing. She sat on my loveseat, which had its cushions removed to make it into a slide, and had a look on her face reminiscent of someone whose house was destroyed by a natural disaster. Once the kids left, she spent the rest of the day sleeping harder than usual.
I went to the gym, ran some errands, then met up with a friend to see the movie "Inside Llewyn Davis" which I totally recommend. Seriously, today was a great day!
I haven't yet written about my goals for 2014, which I think I usually do at some point. It's always nice to have them listed somewhere where I can review them as need be. I also find the blogging community to be super supportive, so it's always great to share them with you guys. So, without further ado, here are my goals for this new and awesome year.
1) Run my first half marathon. I registered officially on the first, and now that I've paid $75, there's no going back. I'll start my official training program on the 16th, which is supposed have me ready by May 4th. Sometimes when I think about the fact I've committed myself to running 21.2 km, I think WTF, but deep down I know I'm ready to do something more than a 10K. I'm actually really excited for this.
2) Return to eating clean. I really did improve my eating habits in 2013. I feel like I went from a grade of F to a solid B in the nutrition department. Admittedly, I slipped over the holidays (see NYE food above) but I'm happy to get back on track. I also want to see if I can go the next month without alcohol, because I indulged a lot over the holidays, and I could use a break from it. (That fast will start on Monday.)
3) Get organized and decluttered at home. I did a tiny bit of this over the holidays, but it needs to be an ongoing project. Perhaps if I schedule myself one task per week (i.e. clean a specific closet or shelf) I'll make good progress.
4) Entertain guests more often at home. I commonly have friends come visit me from out of town, but I rarely have my friends from Toronto over. I had so much fun today that I definitely need to do more entertaining in the new year. My friends from today realized that my place would be a great spot for them to take naps when they need a break from their families, so maybe my flat will become the place to be for 2014.
Those are my goals. I'll check back in when the year is 25% done to let you know how I'm doing.
NYE was a fun day/night. My pal Vern (Go9) came down, and we got pedicures at the nicest nail spa in my neighbourhood. Then we dropped by my local cheese emporium, and got the most delicious brie that we enjoyed on crackers with mimosas while sort of watching the movie Pitch Perfect. We then met up with friends for an amazing dinner at Harlem Underground (fried chicken + waffles = OMG). Finally, we topped off the night by sticking it out for both of Elliott Brood's sets at Lee's Palace. I got home by 3 am, which is a sign of a great New Year's.
Yesterday, I just stayed indoors and watched a bunch of Dateline NBC online. My friend Mathew is obsessed with Dateline, and somehow I've also gotten hooked. I know there are better things on TV but yesterday, I just needed something to numb my senses, and watching something like 7 episodes did the trick.
Today was a super fun day. I hosted two of my work pals and their four-year-old daughters for lunch. I made chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, and the kids tried to coax Rilo out from her hiding spot. Rilo is used to adults, and is the friendliest cat around adults, but she was really confused/alarmed by small energetic humans. Eventually, the girls started to build forts using my blankets and furniture, and let Rilo be for awhile. After forts, they started to draw maps of how to find Rilo, and Rilo ventured out while they were busy drawing. She sat on my loveseat, which had its cushions removed to make it into a slide, and had a look on her face reminiscent of someone whose house was destroyed by a natural disaster. Once the kids left, she spent the rest of the day sleeping harder than usual.
I went to the gym, ran some errands, then met up with a friend to see the movie "Inside Llewyn Davis" which I totally recommend. Seriously, today was a great day!
I haven't yet written about my goals for 2014, which I think I usually do at some point. It's always nice to have them listed somewhere where I can review them as need be. I also find the blogging community to be super supportive, so it's always great to share them with you guys. So, without further ado, here are my goals for this new and awesome year.
1) Run my first half marathon. I registered officially on the first, and now that I've paid $75, there's no going back. I'll start my official training program on the 16th, which is supposed have me ready by May 4th. Sometimes when I think about the fact I've committed myself to running 21.2 km, I think WTF, but deep down I know I'm ready to do something more than a 10K. I'm actually really excited for this.
2) Return to eating clean. I really did improve my eating habits in 2013. I feel like I went from a grade of F to a solid B in the nutrition department. Admittedly, I slipped over the holidays (see NYE food above) but I'm happy to get back on track. I also want to see if I can go the next month without alcohol, because I indulged a lot over the holidays, and I could use a break from it. (That fast will start on Monday.)
3) Get organized and decluttered at home. I did a tiny bit of this over the holidays, but it needs to be an ongoing project. Perhaps if I schedule myself one task per week (i.e. clean a specific closet or shelf) I'll make good progress.
4) Entertain guests more often at home. I commonly have friends come visit me from out of town, but I rarely have my friends from Toronto over. I had so much fun today that I definitely need to do more entertaining in the new year. My friends from today realized that my place would be a great spot for them to take naps when they need a break from their families, so maybe my flat will become the place to be for 2014.
Those are my goals. I'll check back in when the year is 25% done to let you know how I'm doing.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
My Year in Lists: Concerts of 2013
- Feb 1st - Blue Rodeo @ Massey Hall
- Feb 22nd - Hayden @ The Rivoli
- March 20th - Stars @ Danforth Music Hall
- March 21st - Stars @ Danforth Music Hall
- May 31st - Young Galaxy @ Lee's Palace
- June 8th - Arts & Crafts Field Trip: Broken Social Scene & Feist as headliners @ Fork York & Garrison Common
- June 11th - The Postal Service @ ACC
- June 14th - Hayden and The National @ Yonge-Dundas Square
- July 4th - Toronto Urban Roots Festival (She & Him, Joel Plaskett Emergency and Camera Obscura) @ Fork York & Garrison Common
- July 6th - Fun. and Tegan & Sara @ Downsview Park
- July 7th - TURF (Belle & Sebastian, NEKO CASE, Whitehorse and more) @ Fork York & Garrison Common
- Sept. 1st - Stars @ Nathan Phillips Square
- Sept 20th- The Soul Motivators @ The Junction Music Festival
- Oct. 11th - Basia Balut @ The Polish Combatants Hall
- Nov. 1st - Matthew Good @ Massey Hall
- Nov. 2nd - Joel Plaskett @ The Danforth Music Hall
- Nov. 29th - Hawksley Workman @ Midland Cultural Centre
- Nov. 30th - Hayden @ The Danforth Music Hall
- Dec. 12th - Two Hours Traffic @ Lee's Palace
- Dec. 31st - Elliott Brood @ Lee's Palace
My Year in Lists: Books Read in 2013.
For posterity's sake, I always like to save my annual reading and concert lists
to this blog. I used Goodreads to take screenshots of the 31 books
that I read in 2013. They are in reverse order from last read to first read.
Of the books I read, I'm going to pick the top five most amazing reads of the group (in no order).
- Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss (an amazing look into how the food industry manipulates the consumer to make unhealthy choices)
- February by Lisa Moore (an amazing novel about loss)
- My Maasai Life by Robin Wiszowaty (a fascinating book about how a woman immerses herself in Massai culture in Kenya)
- The Spark by Kristine Barnett (a story of how a mother was able to help her son escape a grave diagnosis of non-verbal autism, to become a physics genius as a teenager)
- A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout (a gripping read about how a young woman goes from being an avid adventure traveler to being kidnapped by extremists in Somalia for 460 days)
- Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss (an amazing look into how the food industry manipulates the consumer to make unhealthy choices)
- February by Lisa Moore (an amazing novel about loss)
- My Maasai Life by Robin Wiszowaty (a fascinating book about how a woman immerses herself in Massai culture in Kenya)
- The Spark by Kristine Barnett (a story of how a mother was able to help her son escape a grave diagnosis of non-verbal autism, to become a physics genius as a teenager)
- A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout (a gripping read about how a young woman goes from being an avid adventure traveler to being kidnapped by extremists in Somalia for 460 days)
Monday, December 30, 2013
Still, pretty good year.
It's new year's eve eve.
I have two new year's songs that I like to listen while an old year closes and a new one begins.
I'm going to spend my New Year's Eve getting a pedicure, having dinner at a soul food restaurant I've been wanting to try, and then heading to Lee's Palace to see the always-fun Elliott Brood. I was disappointed that they didn't play Lee's last year, but I'm glad they are back this year.
I'm looking forward to saying good-bye to 2013. It's been a roller-coaster of a year. I can count lots of things that have gone wrong, or that have brought me stress and sadness, but it's probably best to focus on the good, right?
I spent most of the year exercising lots and eating healthy. I feel strong, and I'm probably in the best physical shape of my life. I can run faster than I've ever been able to. I have muscle definition that I've never seen before. I want to keep working out and eating healthy with the same consistency in 2014, and I'm going to run a half-marathon next year. (I'm going to register on New Year's Day.)
I started 2013 in Washington DC, which was a super fun trip. Who knew how much I'd love that city? The other trip I took in 2013 was to Kenya, of course, which is one of the best things I've ever done in my life. I got to finally go to Africa, and got to immerse myself in the rural Maasai Mara. I learned so much about humanity, love, and compassion on the trip, and I'm a better person for it.
Work was pretty good overall. I always love my classes, and as always, being involved heavily in extra-curricular activities has brought me lots of joy. I love getting to know students a little bit outside the classroom, where I get to know more about their lives, and it's fun when they get to know me better too. Like my love of Lorde, and dislike of Walmart, which raises the question "Miss, would you go to Walmart if Lorde was there?" Answer: I don't know.
2013 allowed me to work a lot for charitable causes, not only in Kenya, but in other places in the world and in my own community. My friends were kind enough to sponsor me when I ran the Sporting Life 10K, and I raised more than enough to send a kid with cancer to camp for a week. I was able to help Filipino staff and students raise an amazing amount of money for typhoon relief, and I felt very proud of this effort. And of course, I continued to support other causes dear to my heart like the Daily Bread Food Bank, the Toronto Humane Society, and my sponsored child in the Philippines.
Even though work and a healthy lifestyle keep me busy, I'm glad that I can keep up with all of the long-lasting close friendships that I've cultivated in my life. I'm glad that I've spent hours having dinner, drinks, going to shows, skyping, texting, visiting, and emailing all of the wonderful people in my life. Having great friends makes all of the difference in life.
My mom's health has improved a lot since her fall and surgery in September. She seemed quite strong while I was there over the holidays, so even though her health was a source of stress for me in 2013, I'm glad that it's turned around after some hard times.
Finally, I've been able to keep up with the things I love like reading and finding new bands and going to shows. I only (giant eyeroll) went to twenty concerts this year (down from 29 in 2012) but I saw some great stuff. Probably the high light was Field Trip, Arts & Crafts' 10th anniversary festival, that was comprised of my favourite artists like Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars, Dan Mangan, and Hayden. It's fitting that I'm closing out 2013, with a show, and I'm excited that I already have my first concert tickets for 2014 (Blue Rodeo at Massey Hall with my dear friend Elisa).
So, despite any heartache, sadness, and bullshit... still, pretty good year.
I wish all of you the best in 2014 and thanks so much for reading my silly little blog, commenting, and supporting me whoever you all may be. :)
I have two new year's songs that I like to listen while an old year closes and a new one begins.
I'm going to spend my New Year's Eve getting a pedicure, having dinner at a soul food restaurant I've been wanting to try, and then heading to Lee's Palace to see the always-fun Elliott Brood. I was disappointed that they didn't play Lee's last year, but I'm glad they are back this year.
I'm looking forward to saying good-bye to 2013. It's been a roller-coaster of a year. I can count lots of things that have gone wrong, or that have brought me stress and sadness, but it's probably best to focus on the good, right?
I spent most of the year exercising lots and eating healthy. I feel strong, and I'm probably in the best physical shape of my life. I can run faster than I've ever been able to. I have muscle definition that I've never seen before. I want to keep working out and eating healthy with the same consistency in 2014, and I'm going to run a half-marathon next year. (I'm going to register on New Year's Day.)
I started 2013 in Washington DC, which was a super fun trip. Who knew how much I'd love that city? The other trip I took in 2013 was to Kenya, of course, which is one of the best things I've ever done in my life. I got to finally go to Africa, and got to immerse myself in the rural Maasai Mara. I learned so much about humanity, love, and compassion on the trip, and I'm a better person for it.
Work was pretty good overall. I always love my classes, and as always, being involved heavily in extra-curricular activities has brought me lots of joy. I love getting to know students a little bit outside the classroom, where I get to know more about their lives, and it's fun when they get to know me better too. Like my love of Lorde, and dislike of Walmart, which raises the question "Miss, would you go to Walmart if Lorde was there?" Answer: I don't know.
2013 allowed me to work a lot for charitable causes, not only in Kenya, but in other places in the world and in my own community. My friends were kind enough to sponsor me when I ran the Sporting Life 10K, and I raised more than enough to send a kid with cancer to camp for a week. I was able to help Filipino staff and students raise an amazing amount of money for typhoon relief, and I felt very proud of this effort. And of course, I continued to support other causes dear to my heart like the Daily Bread Food Bank, the Toronto Humane Society, and my sponsored child in the Philippines.
Even though work and a healthy lifestyle keep me busy, I'm glad that I can keep up with all of the long-lasting close friendships that I've cultivated in my life. I'm glad that I've spent hours having dinner, drinks, going to shows, skyping, texting, visiting, and emailing all of the wonderful people in my life. Having great friends makes all of the difference in life.
My mom's health has improved a lot since her fall and surgery in September. She seemed quite strong while I was there over the holidays, so even though her health was a source of stress for me in 2013, I'm glad that it's turned around after some hard times.
Finally, I've been able to keep up with the things I love like reading and finding new bands and going to shows. I only (giant eyeroll) went to twenty concerts this year (down from 29 in 2012) but I saw some great stuff. Probably the high light was Field Trip, Arts & Crafts' 10th anniversary festival, that was comprised of my favourite artists like Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars, Dan Mangan, and Hayden. It's fitting that I'm closing out 2013, with a show, and I'm excited that I already have my first concert tickets for 2014 (Blue Rodeo at Massey Hall with my dear friend Elisa).
So, despite any heartache, sadness, and bullshit... still, pretty good year.
I wish all of you the best in 2014 and thanks so much for reading my silly little blog, commenting, and supporting me whoever you all may be. :)
Friday, December 27, 2013
My Year in Lists: Favourite Albums of 2013
Well, I'm back in Toronto, reunited with my cat friend Rilo, and happy to be back in my own space. For what seems like the first time in months, I have a quiet Friday night to myself, and I decided why not compose my list of favourite albums of the year!
Now, I kind of feel like I'm playing music critic when I write this list, and I realize that I'm totally no expert when it comes to music. My list is usually made of half of new bands that I discovered this year (that may be old to most people), and half of bands that I've loved for years. Also, because of life, I just don't have time to check out all of the albums. Like I haven't even checked out Arcade Fire's "Reflektor" yet this year, and maybe it should be on this list, but maybe not. I don't know. All I do know that if I like that album, it'll be a 2014 memory for me.
With that said, here's the list of the music that will forever be my soundtrack of 2013.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
A) Give Up (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition) - The Postal Service
I don’t know how I feel about including a re-issue on a best of 2013 list, because it kind of makes the year look lame, but I really loved getting (re)-acquainted with this album this year, so I’ll give it an honourable mention. (Although I have seen this album included on some best of 2013 lists.) I don’t think I fully connected with it in 2003 anyway, because that was the year that I was isolated from civilization in a remote northwestern Ontario community. The packaging of the vinyl set of this edition is gorgeous, and I fell in love with songs like “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” and “Nothing Better”. The new-ish material and remixes are worthwhile listening to as well. Bonus: Seeing them play at the ACC with Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley was an absolute 2013 highlight for me. Fave songs: The District Sleeps Alone Tonight & Nothing Better
B) Arrows of Desire - Matthew Good
I was not a fan of this album on first listen. I liked how a couple of the tracks melded into each other, but there was a lot on it that I couldn’t connect with. Fast forward to me seeing Matthew Good play this album live at Massey Hall at the beginning of November, and this album clicked for me. I spent lots of time after the show listening to this album, and although it’s not my fave MG work, it’s definitely grown a lot on me. Fave songs: Had it Coming & Letters in Wartime
NOW ONTO THE TOP TEN!
10) Fade Away - Best Coast
I’m not sure if this album is classified as an LP or an EP as it only has 7 songs. What it lacks in quantity, it definitely makes up for in quality. This album has a punk rock heart, with the heart of the saddest country song. Bethany Cosentino has a strong soulful voice like Jenny Lewis or Neko Case. I love this little album.
Fave songs: This Lonely Morning & I Don’t Know How
9) Ultramarine - Young Galaxy
I feel that 2013 is the year of me connecting with bands for which I feel like I’m late for the party. Young Galaxy is the first. I discovered this album because a random friend invited me to their show at Lee’s Palace, and I downloaded Ultramarine as prep for the show. This album is electronic-y and groovy, and has a decidedly summer feel to it.
Fave songs: Pretty Boy & New Summer
8) If You Leave - Daughter
I know nothing about this band, other than I really like this album. It’s dark, and rather depressing, and comes in handy when you’re in an emo mood and hating on love and romance. Great sounds for the autumn. Youth is such a lovely sad song that will haunt me for years to come. (Sample line: “setting fire to our insides for fun; collecting names of the lovers that went wrong”.)
Fave songs: Youth & Winter
7) Trouble Will Find Me - The National
The National is yet another late-to-the-party band for me. Everyone’s loved them for years, and this is the year that I’ve gotten into them, with help from my hair stylist and a friend from work. It’s another great emo hating-on-love album, and I have to be careful not to listen to it too much or I’ll get super sad, but it’s so good that it’s hard not to listen. These are the catch-22s of my life, I suppose.
Fave songs: This is the Last Time & Pink Rabbits
6) Volume 3 - She & Him
This is my last late-for-the-party band of 2013. Unlike #s 7 and 8 on this list, this album is pretty upbeat, and I’ve spent a lot of time spinning this on my turntable while doing adorable Zoe Deschanel things in my apartment like writing, wrapping gifts, and knitting. This album has a special place in my heart because it reminds me of seeing She & Him at TURF in July with some friends and getting rather tipsy and dancing around like a fool. I’d classify this as happy summer music.
Fave songs: I’ve Got Your Number, Son & Somebody Sweet to Talk To
5) Pure Heroine - Lorde
How did a 16-year-old produce such a mature album? I don’t really understand how Lorde is so great but she is. She nails how I, a 33 year-old-woman, feel about having to go out and party and things with lines like “I kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air” and “I’m kind of older than I was when I revelled without a care”. And, she name checks a Broken Social Scene song (Lover’s Spit) in another one of her songs. I guess my kindred spirit is a teenage pop star from New Zealand, and I’m fine with that.
Fave songs: Ribs & Team
4) Heartthrob - Tegan & Sara
I’ve been a fan of Tegan & Sara for years, and I totally dig how they embraced a completely pop sound for their new record. Heartthrob opens with “Closer” which is a delightful song about falling for someone new and just needing to get closer with them. Who doesn’t love that feeling. But then, BLAM! on track #2, love goes wrong and you’re saying “Goodbye, Goodbye” to that person who just wasn’t as great as they seemed. Yes, you might think that this is a sappy love album from Closer, but it’s actually a great pop album about love gone wrong. I think the best songs tend to be about love gone wrong, no?
Fave songs: Closer & Drove Me Wild
3) NO BLUES - Los Campesinos!
Los Campesinos! is in my top five bands, and they have such a strong hold in my top five because each album they put out is strong, and NO BLUES is no exception. Their music tends to be deliciously dark, gothic, and morose, yet it’s so fun to sing-along to. I knew that this album would be up my alley as soon as they released the first single “What Death Leaves Behind” and the other songs did not disappoint me. I find LC!’s lyrics evoke strong images for me, like as in the song “As Lucerne/The Low” where Gareth sings about his tunes sending “all the patrons home to make up with their first wives”. If you like dark, clever music, NO BLUES is for you.
Fave songs: As Lucerne/The Low & Avocado Baby
And now, here is where I totally lame out and TIE TWO albums for my favourite of 2013 because I can’t decide between the two.
1) The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You - Neko Case
First of all, this is my favourite album title ever. Neko Case’s albums never disappoint me, and I was so excited for her latest album. This album is the product of depression she suffered after the death of her grandmother, and I think anyone who has suffered death and sadness will be able to relate to her songs. Neko’s voice is as strong, beautiful and unique as ever, and her song-writing is the same. On “Nearly Midnight, Honolulu” she sings about overhearing a mother telling her child to shut the fuck up at an airport. “Calling Cards” makes me wistful for people who I miss, and “Ragtime” is my favourite winter song ever. “Where Did I Leave That Fire” evokes what it feels like when you lose yourself to depression, and I love that Neko is brave enough to write songs about such difficult material, yet make it beautiful.
Fave songs: Calling Cards & Ragtime
1) Us Alone - Hayden
I’ve been listening to Hayden since I was sixteen. For awhile, I felt his albums just kept getting better and better, but then disappeared for a few years and came back on Arts & Crafts records this year with this beautiful little album that just kept growing on me as the year progressed. It didn’t hurt that I got to see him play these songs on four occasions. Hayden, like so many of my friends, has grown up, and these songs describe the difficulties of parenting and adulthood, yet there are still songs about the importance of music, cheating lovers, and blurry nights.
Fave Songs: Blurry Nights & Rainy Saturday
And that's it. I don't even know what's coming up in 2014 musically. No clue. I look forward to discovering some new favourites, and maybe re-discovering some old favourites too.
Now, I kind of feel like I'm playing music critic when I write this list, and I realize that I'm totally no expert when it comes to music. My list is usually made of half of new bands that I discovered this year (that may be old to most people), and half of bands that I've loved for years. Also, because of life, I just don't have time to check out all of the albums. Like I haven't even checked out Arcade Fire's "Reflektor" yet this year, and maybe it should be on this list, but maybe not. I don't know. All I do know that if I like that album, it'll be a 2014 memory for me.
With that said, here's the list of the music that will forever be my soundtrack of 2013.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
A) Give Up (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition) - The Postal Service
I don’t know how I feel about including a re-issue on a best of 2013 list, because it kind of makes the year look lame, but I really loved getting (re)-acquainted with this album this year, so I’ll give it an honourable mention. (Although I have seen this album included on some best of 2013 lists.) I don’t think I fully connected with it in 2003 anyway, because that was the year that I was isolated from civilization in a remote northwestern Ontario community. The packaging of the vinyl set of this edition is gorgeous, and I fell in love with songs like “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” and “Nothing Better”. The new-ish material and remixes are worthwhile listening to as well. Bonus: Seeing them play at the ACC with Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley was an absolute 2013 highlight for me. Fave songs: The District Sleeps Alone Tonight & Nothing Better
B) Arrows of Desire - Matthew Good
I was not a fan of this album on first listen. I liked how a couple of the tracks melded into each other, but there was a lot on it that I couldn’t connect with. Fast forward to me seeing Matthew Good play this album live at Massey Hall at the beginning of November, and this album clicked for me. I spent lots of time after the show listening to this album, and although it’s not my fave MG work, it’s definitely grown a lot on me. Fave songs: Had it Coming & Letters in Wartime
NOW ONTO THE TOP TEN!
10) Fade Away - Best Coast
I’m not sure if this album is classified as an LP or an EP as it only has 7 songs. What it lacks in quantity, it definitely makes up for in quality. This album has a punk rock heart, with the heart of the saddest country song. Bethany Cosentino has a strong soulful voice like Jenny Lewis or Neko Case. I love this little album.
Fave songs: This Lonely Morning & I Don’t Know How
9) Ultramarine - Young Galaxy
I feel that 2013 is the year of me connecting with bands for which I feel like I’m late for the party. Young Galaxy is the first. I discovered this album because a random friend invited me to their show at Lee’s Palace, and I downloaded Ultramarine as prep for the show. This album is electronic-y and groovy, and has a decidedly summer feel to it.
Fave songs: Pretty Boy & New Summer
8) If You Leave - Daughter
I know nothing about this band, other than I really like this album. It’s dark, and rather depressing, and comes in handy when you’re in an emo mood and hating on love and romance. Great sounds for the autumn. Youth is such a lovely sad song that will haunt me for years to come. (Sample line: “setting fire to our insides for fun; collecting names of the lovers that went wrong”.)
Fave songs: Youth & Winter
7) Trouble Will Find Me - The National
The National is yet another late-to-the-party band for me. Everyone’s loved them for years, and this is the year that I’ve gotten into them, with help from my hair stylist and a friend from work. It’s another great emo hating-on-love album, and I have to be careful not to listen to it too much or I’ll get super sad, but it’s so good that it’s hard not to listen. These are the catch-22s of my life, I suppose.
Fave songs: This is the Last Time & Pink Rabbits
6) Volume 3 - She & Him
This is my last late-for-the-party band of 2013. Unlike #s 7 and 8 on this list, this album is pretty upbeat, and I’ve spent a lot of time spinning this on my turntable while doing adorable Zoe Deschanel things in my apartment like writing, wrapping gifts, and knitting. This album has a special place in my heart because it reminds me of seeing She & Him at TURF in July with some friends and getting rather tipsy and dancing around like a fool. I’d classify this as happy summer music.
Fave songs: I’ve Got Your Number, Son & Somebody Sweet to Talk To
5) Pure Heroine - Lorde
How did a 16-year-old produce such a mature album? I don’t really understand how Lorde is so great but she is. She nails how I, a 33 year-old-woman, feel about having to go out and party and things with lines like “I kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air” and “I’m kind of older than I was when I revelled without a care”. And, she name checks a Broken Social Scene song (Lover’s Spit) in another one of her songs. I guess my kindred spirit is a teenage pop star from New Zealand, and I’m fine with that.
Fave songs: Ribs & Team
4) Heartthrob - Tegan & Sara
I’ve been a fan of Tegan & Sara for years, and I totally dig how they embraced a completely pop sound for their new record. Heartthrob opens with “Closer” which is a delightful song about falling for someone new and just needing to get closer with them. Who doesn’t love that feeling. But then, BLAM! on track #2, love goes wrong and you’re saying “Goodbye, Goodbye” to that person who just wasn’t as great as they seemed. Yes, you might think that this is a sappy love album from Closer, but it’s actually a great pop album about love gone wrong. I think the best songs tend to be about love gone wrong, no?
Fave songs: Closer & Drove Me Wild
3) NO BLUES - Los Campesinos!
Los Campesinos! is in my top five bands, and they have such a strong hold in my top five because each album they put out is strong, and NO BLUES is no exception. Their music tends to be deliciously dark, gothic, and morose, yet it’s so fun to sing-along to. I knew that this album would be up my alley as soon as they released the first single “What Death Leaves Behind” and the other songs did not disappoint me. I find LC!’s lyrics evoke strong images for me, like as in the song “As Lucerne/The Low” where Gareth sings about his tunes sending “all the patrons home to make up with their first wives”. If you like dark, clever music, NO BLUES is for you.
Fave songs: As Lucerne/The Low & Avocado Baby
And now, here is where I totally lame out and TIE TWO albums for my favourite of 2013 because I can’t decide between the two.
1) The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You - Neko Case
First of all, this is my favourite album title ever. Neko Case’s albums never disappoint me, and I was so excited for her latest album. This album is the product of depression she suffered after the death of her grandmother, and I think anyone who has suffered death and sadness will be able to relate to her songs. Neko’s voice is as strong, beautiful and unique as ever, and her song-writing is the same. On “Nearly Midnight, Honolulu” she sings about overhearing a mother telling her child to shut the fuck up at an airport. “Calling Cards” makes me wistful for people who I miss, and “Ragtime” is my favourite winter song ever. “Where Did I Leave That Fire” evokes what it feels like when you lose yourself to depression, and I love that Neko is brave enough to write songs about such difficult material, yet make it beautiful.
Fave songs: Calling Cards & Ragtime
1) Us Alone - Hayden
I’ve been listening to Hayden since I was sixteen. For awhile, I felt his albums just kept getting better and better, but then disappeared for a few years and came back on Arts & Crafts records this year with this beautiful little album that just kept growing on me as the year progressed. It didn’t hurt that I got to see him play these songs on four occasions. Hayden, like so many of my friends, has grown up, and these songs describe the difficulties of parenting and adulthood, yet there are still songs about the importance of music, cheating lovers, and blurry nights.
Fave Songs: Blurry Nights & Rainy Saturday
And that's it. I don't even know what's coming up in 2014 musically. No clue. I look forward to discovering some new favourites, and maybe re-discovering some old favourites too.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas Bloggarinos!
Happy Christmas to you all!
I've been having a blast in my hometown of St. Ratford. I've been treated to free cab rides from high school jerks whose existence I'd forgotten, had fun at the annual G of 9 Christmas party, discovered the new Target in town, and have had some good hangout time with the family. Today will be a chill day of reading new books, drinking tea, watching some movies and eating lots of food.
Rilo has been doing well sharing her electricity with those who lost power during the ice storm back in Toronto. My pal Mathew ended spending a night chez Rilo as he'd lost power, as did his mom. No lonely kitty this year!
Hope that all of you are having a wonderful Christmas!
I've been having a blast in my hometown of St. Ratford. I've been treated to free cab rides from high school jerks whose existence I'd forgotten, had fun at the annual G of 9 Christmas party, discovered the new Target in town, and have had some good hangout time with the family. Today will be a chill day of reading new books, drinking tea, watching some movies and eating lots of food.
Rilo has been doing well sharing her electricity with those who lost power during the ice storm back in Toronto. My pal Mathew ended spending a night chez Rilo as he'd lost power, as did his mom. No lonely kitty this year!
Hope that all of you are having a wonderful Christmas!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
On ice storms and optimism.
I slept through the great ice storm of 2013. Last night, I fell asleep before 11 pm, and pretty much stayed in bed until 11 am, save getting up to give Rilo some treats at 8 am or so. I think my body needed it. I really feel like the busyness of the past four months, or even the entire year, has taken a toll on my body and I'm just feeling exhausted.
I had no reason to go out today. I packed, wrapped presents for my family, and finished reading my book. My pal Mathew came to exchange gifts, and pick up my keys as he is Rilo-sitting as I'm away until Friday. He commented that I sound like Jennifer Lawrence, so perhaps that's upgrade on the state of my voice.
As I was saying, we had a ginormous ice storm while I was sleeping off the year. Somewhere around 250 000 people were without power, but I was not one of them. I had checked the status of my train early in the afternoon, and the website said all trains were running on schedule, so I wasn't worried. However, when I got to the station, the board said my train would depart an hour late. No problem, I thought. I got a snack, and then read for awhile in line for the train. The board pushed the train's departure time back another hour, then after that hour, my 5:40 pm train was scheduled to leave at 9:00 pm. What a frustrating evening.
I spent some time texting people, emailing, and the like. I also thought a bit about my optimistic character. I was just asked about whether I'm an optimist or pessimist earlier in the week, and I tend to be an optimist by nature. Although, admittedly, there are times where I just want to be negative, and if a person tries to add a bit of positivity into my negative tirade, watch out.
But I do always think the best of people when I meet them, and sometimes I wonder if that's a bad thing. But then when I'm faced with meeting new people and forging new relationships again, I slide back into my optimistic ways. And I think I'm going to stay that way because I like it. And, when I do get burned, I have a lot of friends around me anyway, so who really cares?
I had no reason to go out today. I packed, wrapped presents for my family, and finished reading my book. My pal Mathew came to exchange gifts, and pick up my keys as he is Rilo-sitting as I'm away until Friday. He commented that I sound like Jennifer Lawrence, so perhaps that's upgrade on the state of my voice.
As I was saying, we had a ginormous ice storm while I was sleeping off the year. Somewhere around 250 000 people were without power, but I was not one of them. I had checked the status of my train early in the afternoon, and the website said all trains were running on schedule, so I wasn't worried. However, when I got to the station, the board said my train would depart an hour late. No problem, I thought. I got a snack, and then read for awhile in line for the train. The board pushed the train's departure time back another hour, then after that hour, my 5:40 pm train was scheduled to leave at 9:00 pm. What a frustrating evening.
I spent some time texting people, emailing, and the like. I also thought a bit about my optimistic character. I was just asked about whether I'm an optimist or pessimist earlier in the week, and I tend to be an optimist by nature. Although, admittedly, there are times where I just want to be negative, and if a person tries to add a bit of positivity into my negative tirade, watch out.
But I do always think the best of people when I meet them, and sometimes I wonder if that's a bad thing. But then when I'm faced with meeting new people and forging new relationships again, I slide back into my optimistic ways. And I think I'm going to stay that way because I like it. And, when I do get burned, I have a lot of friends around me anyway, so who really cares?
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Always be drunk.
Just in time for the holidays, I've lost my voice.
If I were speaking this post to you, trust me, it would sound kind of sexy. Well, sexy if you think the deep, husky voice of chain-smoking diner waitress is sexy.
I got this from my friend Fea. She's been talking like this for awhile, and my husky voice arrived on Wednesday night. At first I thought it could have just been a result of me having to talk loudly in a loud bar that night, but no, it's what Fea has.
Yesterday, I phoned Fea to organize plans, and when she answered her phone, I thought it was her husband. Last night, when we were driving home from the musical Once (which was awesome), my friend Paola started laughing and said "If I didn't know I was in the car with you guys, I wouldn't know who I was in the car with! You sound like a couple of men."
Tonight I was supposed to go to my friend Katie's birthday party, but I bailed since I don't think that I can really participate much at a party in a loud bar. I can talk for a little bit, but after 10 mins or so, the thing dies out. I'd have to start texting people to communicate. We're having an ice storm too, so I think ordering a festive special from Swiss Chalet, opening a bottle of red wine, and reading my novel about Zelda Fitzgerald is the way to go.
As I cracked open my book (or more accurately turned on my e-reader), I was treated to this awesome poem at the beginning of Part III of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. I rather love this poem, so I'm going to post it here.
Always be drunk.
That's it!
The great imperative!
In order not to feel
Time's horrid fardel
bruise your shoulders,
grinding you into the earth,
Get drunk and stay that way.
On what?
On wine, poetry, virtue, whatever.
But get drunk.
And if you sometimes happen to wake up
on the porches of a palace,
in the green grass of a ditch,
in the dismal loneliness of your own room,
your drunkenness gone or disappearing,
ask the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock,
ask everything that flees,
everything that groans
or rolls
or sings,
everything that speaks,
ask what time it is;
and the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock
will answer you:
"Time to get drunk!
Don't be martyred slaves of Time,
Get drunk!
Stay drunk!
On wine, virtue, poetry, whatever!"
--> GET DRUNK by Charles Baudelaire
Pretty awesome, huh? I love it.
Also, in awesome, thanks to everyone for the lovely comments, texts, et cetra that you sent me after my last post. You guys made me feel flawless and proud of myself. You're the best.
If I were speaking this post to you, trust me, it would sound kind of sexy. Well, sexy if you think the deep, husky voice of chain-smoking diner waitress is sexy.
I got this from my friend Fea. She's been talking like this for awhile, and my husky voice arrived on Wednesday night. At first I thought it could have just been a result of me having to talk loudly in a loud bar that night, but no, it's what Fea has.
Yesterday, I phoned Fea to organize plans, and when she answered her phone, I thought it was her husband. Last night, when we were driving home from the musical Once (which was awesome), my friend Paola started laughing and said "If I didn't know I was in the car with you guys, I wouldn't know who I was in the car with! You sound like a couple of men."
Tonight I was supposed to go to my friend Katie's birthday party, but I bailed since I don't think that I can really participate much at a party in a loud bar. I can talk for a little bit, but after 10 mins or so, the thing dies out. I'd have to start texting people to communicate. We're having an ice storm too, so I think ordering a festive special from Swiss Chalet, opening a bottle of red wine, and reading my novel about Zelda Fitzgerald is the way to go.
As I cracked open my book (or more accurately turned on my e-reader), I was treated to this awesome poem at the beginning of Part III of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. I rather love this poem, so I'm going to post it here.
Always be drunk.
That's it!
The great imperative!
In order not to feel
Time's horrid fardel
bruise your shoulders,
grinding you into the earth,
Get drunk and stay that way.
On what?
On wine, poetry, virtue, whatever.
But get drunk.
And if you sometimes happen to wake up
on the porches of a palace,
in the green grass of a ditch,
in the dismal loneliness of your own room,
your drunkenness gone or disappearing,
ask the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock,
ask everything that flees,
everything that groans
or rolls
or sings,
everything that speaks,
ask what time it is;
and the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock
will answer you:
"Time to get drunk!
Don't be martyred slaves of Time,
Get drunk!
Stay drunk!
On wine, virtue, poetry, whatever!"
--> GET DRUNK by Charles Baudelaire
Pretty awesome, huh? I love it.
Also, in awesome, thanks to everyone for the lovely comments, texts, et cetra that you sent me after my last post. You guys made me feel flawless and proud of myself. You're the best.
Friday, December 20, 2013
You wake up, flawless, post up, flawless.
▶ Beyonce - Flawless - Video Dailymotion
Today was a kind of crappy day. 2013 has been a year filled with a lot of great things, but also some not-so-great things, and I feel like today was 2013's final little kick to my ribs, that will leave a little bruise, but that will heal super quickly.
However, this bruise has left me spending a lot of time today having great venting conversations with my friends, which have left making me feel better in ways, but also super angry.
I am basically fucking sick and tired of all of the bullshit placed on women in this culture.
What has me especially bristling today is that I've been told, on more than one occasion, that I'm super smart, which is great (obvs) but I need to be careful, and perhaps tone it down a bit, because it can super intimidating for men.
Has a man EVER been told to tone down his intelligence, ever?? EVER? Fuck no.
And it's fucking bullshit that as I'm writing this, a little voice in my head is telling me to tone this down, that if I write this, I'm going look like I'm conceited/prideful/boasting/bragging about my intelligence and that I'd better point out that "oh no, I'm not that smart, there's tonnes of stuff that I don't know."
Well fuck that. You know what, I'm smart. And I worked hard to be this way. I'm always trying to learn new things, improve my brain, and I worked hard to get to where I have to be. And that's cool and I'm proud of it. And if someone is intimidated by that, let them run away.
I've spent today thinking about all of the bullshit that's been thrown at me this year. And I feel really angry because I know that all of these are criticisms that don't get thrown at men. Women in our society are constantly being cut up, and criticized for being one way or another, yet they can never get it right no matter what. You can't be too smart, but not too dumb either. Don't dress like a prude, that's not sexy, but you'd better not dress like a whore either. It's not modern to be a homemaker, but how dare you put your career before your family.
It goes on and on, and I feel like I'm constantly trying to fill in the variables into a formula that will make me an acceptable human being. But do you know what? There is no solution.
Besides my intelligence being too intimidating, here's some shit that's been lobbed at me this year (and I paraphrase):
"It's great that you are working out and exercising, but don't get too skinny, because you don't want to lose your ass." I'm just a collection of body parts, you know.
"I don't understand why you are spending so much effort making your body look better, yet your hair isn't right." Yes, the reason why I decided to work out and eat healthy this year was so I would look better for men, and had nothing to do with improving my own physical/mental well-being. Which I guess is pointless because you don't like my hair. There was a lot of shit I heard about my hair this year. So ridiculous.
"You're not a team-player." This is because I ask questions. Of course, men who ask questions were allowed to play on the team.
"You shouldn't talk very much about travel, because it sounds like you are bragging." I work hard to earn/save money so I can travel and have life experiences. Why can't I bring them up? Why does it make you feel bad that I've been places?
"You have to let the man take the lead. As soon as you take the lead, it'll be too much for them and will scare them off." OF COURSE! I just need to follow blindly! Silly me for asking for what I want.
"You're too much of a good girl/too sweet/too nice." Sorry that I have a moral compass and that I value kindness. The irony is that if I acted in another manner, I'd be called a bitch, a slut, or a whore.
I vented some of this to my awesome friend AlieMalie, and she sent me the above link to the above Beyonce song, which is amazing and makes me feel amazing. I've read a bit about the surprise album that Beyonce released a week ago, and I'm finally getting to listening to it now. She's been getting a lot of praise for the feminist message to the album, but also, some criticism too, because women never get things right. (Compare with all of the male musicians who release music with completely misogynistic messages to almost unanimous critical acclaim.)
My favourite part of the song is a spoken word excerpt by feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:
We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller
We say to girls: "You can have ambition, but not too much
You should aim to be successful, but not too successful
Otherwise, you will threaten the man"
Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is most important
Now, marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are
Feminist: a person who believes in the social
political, and economic equality of the sexes
She nails it. This is exactly how I feel our society views women. You need to be ________ but not too ____________ or it will threaten the man.
My friend AlieMalie pointed out that "men get a pass on everything that society rips women for, and it has to stop."
It'd be great to get a pass for being intelligent, outspoken, ambitious, experienced, successful, sexual, accomplished, and all the ways that men in our society get to be without criticism. That's all I want, and that's all that feminists want, and all this long ranting post is about. I just want to be able to be proud of my accomplishments, and not to be ripped apart for my flaws.
And I'm going to start by stopping being critical of myself for how I am, and by stopping being critical of other women for how they are.
And I'm going to be unashamedly and unabashedly proud of how awesome I am, because god damn, I'm flawless.
Today was a kind of crappy day. 2013 has been a year filled with a lot of great things, but also some not-so-great things, and I feel like today was 2013's final little kick to my ribs, that will leave a little bruise, but that will heal super quickly.
However, this bruise has left me spending a lot of time today having great venting conversations with my friends, which have left making me feel better in ways, but also super angry.
I am basically fucking sick and tired of all of the bullshit placed on women in this culture.
What has me especially bristling today is that I've been told, on more than one occasion, that I'm super smart, which is great (obvs) but I need to be careful, and perhaps tone it down a bit, because it can super intimidating for men.
Has a man EVER been told to tone down his intelligence, ever?? EVER? Fuck no.
And it's fucking bullshit that as I'm writing this, a little voice in my head is telling me to tone this down, that if I write this, I'm going look like I'm conceited/prideful/boasting/bragging about my intelligence and that I'd better point out that "oh no, I'm not that smart, there's tonnes of stuff that I don't know."
Well fuck that. You know what, I'm smart. And I worked hard to be this way. I'm always trying to learn new things, improve my brain, and I worked hard to get to where I have to be. And that's cool and I'm proud of it. And if someone is intimidated by that, let them run away.
I've spent today thinking about all of the bullshit that's been thrown at me this year. And I feel really angry because I know that all of these are criticisms that don't get thrown at men. Women in our society are constantly being cut up, and criticized for being one way or another, yet they can never get it right no matter what. You can't be too smart, but not too dumb either. Don't dress like a prude, that's not sexy, but you'd better not dress like a whore either. It's not modern to be a homemaker, but how dare you put your career before your family.
It goes on and on, and I feel like I'm constantly trying to fill in the variables into a formula that will make me an acceptable human being. But do you know what? There is no solution.
Besides my intelligence being too intimidating, here's some shit that's been lobbed at me this year (and I paraphrase):
"It's great that you are working out and exercising, but don't get too skinny, because you don't want to lose your ass." I'm just a collection of body parts, you know.
"I don't understand why you are spending so much effort making your body look better, yet your hair isn't right." Yes, the reason why I decided to work out and eat healthy this year was so I would look better for men, and had nothing to do with improving my own physical/mental well-being. Which I guess is pointless because you don't like my hair. There was a lot of shit I heard about my hair this year. So ridiculous.
"You're not a team-player." This is because I ask questions. Of course, men who ask questions were allowed to play on the team.
"You shouldn't talk very much about travel, because it sounds like you are bragging." I work hard to earn/save money so I can travel and have life experiences. Why can't I bring them up? Why does it make you feel bad that I've been places?
"You have to let the man take the lead. As soon as you take the lead, it'll be too much for them and will scare them off." OF COURSE! I just need to follow blindly! Silly me for asking for what I want.
"You're too much of a good girl/too sweet/too nice." Sorry that I have a moral compass and that I value kindness. The irony is that if I acted in another manner, I'd be called a bitch, a slut, or a whore.
I vented some of this to my awesome friend AlieMalie, and she sent me the above link to the above Beyonce song, which is amazing and makes me feel amazing. I've read a bit about the surprise album that Beyonce released a week ago, and I'm finally getting to listening to it now. She's been getting a lot of praise for the feminist message to the album, but also, some criticism too, because women never get things right. (Compare with all of the male musicians who release music with completely misogynistic messages to almost unanimous critical acclaim.)
My favourite part of the song is a spoken word excerpt by feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:
We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller
We say to girls: "You can have ambition, but not too much
You should aim to be successful, but not too successful
Otherwise, you will threaten the man"
Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is most important
Now, marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are
Feminist: a person who believes in the social
political, and economic equality of the sexes
She nails it. This is exactly how I feel our society views women. You need to be ________ but not too ____________ or it will threaten the man.
My friend AlieMalie pointed out that "men get a pass on everything that society rips women for, and it has to stop."
It'd be great to get a pass for being intelligent, outspoken, ambitious, experienced, successful, sexual, accomplished, and all the ways that men in our society get to be without criticism. That's all I want, and that's all that feminists want, and all this long ranting post is about. I just want to be able to be proud of my accomplishments, and not to be ripped apart for my flaws.
And I'm going to start by stopping being critical of myself for how I am, and by stopping being critical of other women for how they are.
And I'm going to be unashamedly and unabashedly proud of how awesome I am, because god damn, I'm flawless.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Oh man, the past few days have been really fun, and then next few days promise to be really busy.
The Two Hours Traffic show was great. So sad though it was the last time that I'll hear any of those song.
Trampolining with student council was so much fun. There was a bit of foam that you could jump into from some of the trampolines. That was pretty fun. Also, we spent a good hour playing dodge ball on trampolines. Great times. Dinner was lots of fun too. My secret santa got me Lorde on vinyl! I always love student council dinners. We feel like a big happy family.
We had a winter storm on Saturday which was a-okay with me. I had no plans whatsoever except for drinks at a neighbourhood pub. I spent the day reading and cleaning my apartment. Drinks were super fun too. What a great storm day.
I had a fun day with my friend Heather. We went for brunch, shopping at Shops at Don Mills, the ballet, and then for dinner. The Nutcracker was pretty spectacular. I'm glad I got to see it.
The next four days are going to kill me at work, so who knows if you'll hear from me. I might just post as proof that I'm still alive. :)
The Two Hours Traffic show was great. So sad though it was the last time that I'll hear any of those song.
Trampolining with student council was so much fun. There was a bit of foam that you could jump into from some of the trampolines. That was pretty fun. Also, we spent a good hour playing dodge ball on trampolines. Great times. Dinner was lots of fun too. My secret santa got me Lorde on vinyl! I always love student council dinners. We feel like a big happy family.
We had a winter storm on Saturday which was a-okay with me. I had no plans whatsoever except for drinks at a neighbourhood pub. I spent the day reading and cleaning my apartment. Drinks were super fun too. What a great storm day.
I had a fun day with my friend Heather. We went for brunch, shopping at Shops at Don Mills, the ballet, and then for dinner. The Nutcracker was pretty spectacular. I'm glad I got to see it.
The next four days are going to kill me at work, so who knows if you'll hear from me. I might just post as proof that I'm still alive. :)
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
You sure can start.
List of things I'm looking forward to:
1) Not going to the gym tomorrow. (Body needs to recover after two intense days in a row.)
2) Two Hours Traffic's farewell show on Thursday night at Lee's Palace. Not happy that they're saying farewell, but happy that I'll get to see them. I've had some good memories with this band. Below is my all-time fave song of theirs.
3) On Friday, we're going trampolining with Student Council, and then having our annual Christmas dinner. I haven't jumped on a trampoline since I was eighteen. It was at the big "we're going away to university" party at my friend Christa's house, and I ended up breaking my foot and starting university with a damned cast on my leg. Fifteen years later, dare I return to the trampoline?
4) Drinks on Saturday night.
5) My friend Heather is visiting from London, Ontario on Sunday, and we're going to go see the Nutcracker. I've never been to the ballet! It should be fun.
6) Next week will be the last week of classes. I'm looking forward to getting that over and done with.
7) As per last year's contract negotiations with the government, teachers have to take a voluntary unpaid PD day on Friday the 20th. Con: I don't get paid. Pro: I don't have to go to work that day. That evening, I'm taking a couple of my work BFFs to see the musical Once as their Christmas gift. I've heard such great things and I'm excited.
8) I'm so looking forward to my holidays. I'm exhausted and feeling burned out. Two weeks of relaxing, reading, and socializing is just what I need.
1) Not going to the gym tomorrow. (Body needs to recover after two intense days in a row.)
2) Two Hours Traffic's farewell show on Thursday night at Lee's Palace. Not happy that they're saying farewell, but happy that I'll get to see them. I've had some good memories with this band. Below is my all-time fave song of theirs.
3) On Friday, we're going trampolining with Student Council, and then having our annual Christmas dinner. I haven't jumped on a trampoline since I was eighteen. It was at the big "we're going away to university" party at my friend Christa's house, and I ended up breaking my foot and starting university with a damned cast on my leg. Fifteen years later, dare I return to the trampoline?
4) Drinks on Saturday night.
5) My friend Heather is visiting from London, Ontario on Sunday, and we're going to go see the Nutcracker. I've never been to the ballet! It should be fun.
6) Next week will be the last week of classes. I'm looking forward to getting that over and done with.
7) As per last year's contract negotiations with the government, teachers have to take a voluntary unpaid PD day on Friday the 20th. Con: I don't get paid. Pro: I don't have to go to work that day. That evening, I'm taking a couple of my work BFFs to see the musical Once as their Christmas gift. I've heard such great things and I'm excited.
8) I'm so looking forward to my holidays. I'm exhausted and feeling burned out. Two weeks of relaxing, reading, and socializing is just what I need.
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Didn't mean to leave you hanging all alone.
Okay, I am getting into the Christmas groove now. I've started listening to Christmas music. Here's one of my faves. Emo-Christmas music from the nineties? Yes, please! (Best version on YouTube has Spanish subtitles.)
Friday night was my work Christmas party. It was a whole lot of meh. The food was average. Well, the chicken and lamb were above average, but the panna cotta was decidedly sub-average, so I would say the entire meal averaged out to a giant meh. The place where it was held was downtown which was great. Some years, they decide to hold it out in the suburbs, which is ridiculous since we're a downtown school. However, it was lame enough that pretty much all of my friends were willing to call it an evening after the food was served.
It was super cold on the way home, which lead me to berate myself for signing up for a 5K race the next day. What was I thinking? Well, when I pulled myself out of bed on Saturday morning, I threw on my winter running gear: a long-sleeved shirt with another long-sleeved zip-up pullover on top, mittens, a toque, long tights, etc. I threw my metropass, keys, and credit card into my pocket and ran to a nearby coffee shop for a quick bite, and an eggnog latte. Then I hopped on a bus to get to the park where the race was; conveniently just a 10-minute trip down my street.
It was a cold-ish morning, but beautiful and sunny. As soon as the race started I felt great. Running warming me up instantly, and doing something positive like running for charity made me feel better after the negative thoughts from the night before. I was so glad that I had signed up. It wasn't a timed race, but according to my RunKeeper ap, I ran at the pace of my personal best. Also, the best part was the hotdog at the end, and then I ran back to the bus stop and headed home for a shower and a nap.
I spend Saturday afternoon getting my nails done, and then making veggie chili for another Christmas party with friends. It was tonnes of fun. We had lots of food, wine, Christmas crackers, silly glasses, and fun gifts. We did the thing where everyone brings a funny and/or nice gifts and we randomly exchange the presents. My gift was definitely on the funny side. I found a giant brown mug that said "coffee makes me poop" and incorporated it into a theme gift with coffee, toilet paper, and magazines. It was a hit since some of the evening's conversation was decidedly scatological. Party #2 was definitely a great time.
Today I slept in, and then dragged myself out shopping in the vicinity of the Eaton Centre. I had saw a pair of Mr. Sparkle socks at Urban Outfitters and decided I should get them for my dad and my pal Mathew. The store near me ran out of them once I decided to buy them, so I had to drag myself down to the Yonge-Dundas location. This is what they look like, just in case you don't know what the hell I mean by Mr. Sparkle.
I ended up getting more gifts at the store. I now have the gift for my annual Student Council Secret Santa recipient. Yet again, I got a teenaged-boy to buy for, and I always find it difficult buying for teenaged-boys. But I think I succeeded this time. I also ended up doing that thing where whilst Christmas shopping, you end up inevitably buying something for yourself. No one's going to get me these pint glasses, am I right? (As you can see I've put them to good use already.)
I ventured into the mall for a bit, and got some gifts for my dad and my aunt. I think my shopping is at about 80% completion. I just have a few small odds and ends to get, and then something for my mom which is always the most difficult.
When I got home, I started getting all of my cards and gifts ready that need to be mailed. I also got laundry done, and even finally put up my tree. As I was going through my bag of Christmas decorations, and came across a cat Santa suit that my aunt mailed me a few years ago. I never tried putting it on Rilo, because I just assumed that I'd get scratched to bits, but I decided to try on a whim, and look at the result!
Bahahaha!!! Now I'm going to have to have this made into a card to send to my parents for sure. Oh man. Poor thing. Don't worry, I took it off as soon as I got this picture, and then she spent a good five minutes attacking the hat. And she's not in the least bit angry at me. (Maybe I should sleep with one eye open, though... Hell hath no fury like a humiliated cat.)
Friday night was my work Christmas party. It was a whole lot of meh. The food was average. Well, the chicken and lamb were above average, but the panna cotta was decidedly sub-average, so I would say the entire meal averaged out to a giant meh. The place where it was held was downtown which was great. Some years, they decide to hold it out in the suburbs, which is ridiculous since we're a downtown school. However, it was lame enough that pretty much all of my friends were willing to call it an evening after the food was served.
It was super cold on the way home, which lead me to berate myself for signing up for a 5K race the next day. What was I thinking? Well, when I pulled myself out of bed on Saturday morning, I threw on my winter running gear: a long-sleeved shirt with another long-sleeved zip-up pullover on top, mittens, a toque, long tights, etc. I threw my metropass, keys, and credit card into my pocket and ran to a nearby coffee shop for a quick bite, and an eggnog latte. Then I hopped on a bus to get to the park where the race was; conveniently just a 10-minute trip down my street.
It was a cold-ish morning, but beautiful and sunny. As soon as the race started I felt great. Running warming me up instantly, and doing something positive like running for charity made me feel better after the negative thoughts from the night before. I was so glad that I had signed up. It wasn't a timed race, but according to my RunKeeper ap, I ran at the pace of my personal best. Also, the best part was the hotdog at the end, and then I ran back to the bus stop and headed home for a shower and a nap.
I spend Saturday afternoon getting my nails done, and then making veggie chili for another Christmas party with friends. It was tonnes of fun. We had lots of food, wine, Christmas crackers, silly glasses, and fun gifts. We did the thing where everyone brings a funny and/or nice gifts and we randomly exchange the presents. My gift was definitely on the funny side. I found a giant brown mug that said "coffee makes me poop" and incorporated it into a theme gift with coffee, toilet paper, and magazines. It was a hit since some of the evening's conversation was decidedly scatological. Party #2 was definitely a great time.
Today I slept in, and then dragged myself out shopping in the vicinity of the Eaton Centre. I had saw a pair of Mr. Sparkle socks at Urban Outfitters and decided I should get them for my dad and my pal Mathew. The store near me ran out of them once I decided to buy them, so I had to drag myself down to the Yonge-Dundas location. This is what they look like, just in case you don't know what the hell I mean by Mr. Sparkle.
I ended up getting more gifts at the store. I now have the gift for my annual Student Council Secret Santa recipient. Yet again, I got a teenaged-boy to buy for, and I always find it difficult buying for teenaged-boys. But I think I succeeded this time. I also ended up doing that thing where whilst Christmas shopping, you end up inevitably buying something for yourself. No one's going to get me these pint glasses, am I right? (As you can see I've put them to good use already.)
I ventured into the mall for a bit, and got some gifts for my dad and my aunt. I think my shopping is at about 80% completion. I just have a few small odds and ends to get, and then something for my mom which is always the most difficult.
When I got home, I started getting all of my cards and gifts ready that need to be mailed. I also got laundry done, and even finally put up my tree. As I was going through my bag of Christmas decorations, and came across a cat Santa suit that my aunt mailed me a few years ago. I never tried putting it on Rilo, because I just assumed that I'd get scratched to bits, but I decided to try on a whim, and look at the result!
Bahahaha!!! Now I'm going to have to have this made into a card to send to my parents for sure. Oh man. Poor thing. Don't worry, I took it off as soon as I got this picture, and then she spent a good five minutes attacking the hat. And she's not in the least bit angry at me. (Maybe I should sleep with one eye open, though... Hell hath no fury like a humiliated cat.)
And with that, I must go to sleep soon. Tomorrow I'm taking my grade 9s to the Science Centre which will prove exhausting I'm sure. I also have so much to do this week that I really hope I'll be able to make it to a post office to mail all of the stuff I managed to pack up tonight.
But, I definitely made progress on Project Christmas Groove this weekend.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
And any book I’ll ever read, you’d be the line that sticks out to me.
I'm working on getting my Christmas groove on.
I've got a good chunk of my shopping done, and I'm definitely knee deep into the Christmas event circuit. Tonight I went to a Christmas concert at school (I like to support the kids), and this weekend I have two Christmas parties: one Friday night and one Saturday night. In between the parties, I'm going to run the 5K Santa Shuffle, because I think paying for exercise is the only way I'd get out of bed to workout. (And my race fee goes to charity, so yay! And I'll get a medal. And I always like races.)
But, I still don't have my Christmas tree up, and I haven't been listening to Christmas music yet. This is odd for me. I feel like I'm bah-humbugging it, and I'm questioning if it's worth even putting up a tree this year. However, as my friend Fea said "it's always worth it" so hopefully I have a chance to do that this weekend in between the parties and the race and all of the other things I need to do.
I've got a good chunk of my shopping done, and I'm definitely knee deep into the Christmas event circuit. Tonight I went to a Christmas concert at school (I like to support the kids), and this weekend I have two Christmas parties: one Friday night and one Saturday night. In between the parties, I'm going to run the 5K Santa Shuffle, because I think paying for exercise is the only way I'd get out of bed to workout. (And my race fee goes to charity, so yay! And I'll get a medal. And I always like races.)
But, I still don't have my Christmas tree up, and I haven't been listening to Christmas music yet. This is odd for me. I feel like I'm bah-humbugging it, and I'm questioning if it's worth even putting up a tree this year. However, as my friend Fea said "it's always worth it" so hopefully I have a chance to do that this weekend in between the parties and the race and all of the other things I need to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)