Welcome to real life kids! That's how I think of summer vacay: my real-life when every second is devoted to me, me, me! (Except the first day which was spend writing a paper for the stupid online course.) Oh the selfishness of it all! Oh the luxury of it all! Oh, how I kind of miss the kids who greeted me on Saturday with a loud, raucous "Miss it's YOU!" as I was crossing the street. In my carefully-chosen-far- from-school neighbourhood, where I've seen them before because they play basketball somewhere around here.
Anyway, I could write about the pub crawl (successful as usual, some new recruits, fewer stops that were farther apart this year, so it was a healthier crawl, only a slight hangover the next day), or about how I've spent my summer vacay so far (reading, social-butterflying, and a bit of shopping), but I just got the urge to write about something I love: knitting.
***
Why I Love To Knit
by: Christielli
Quite frankly, I love to knit because I find it highly pleasurable to turn a long string into something warm, fuzzy, and wearable. It's amazing to find a nifty ball of yarn in a store, and picture it and perhaps its sisters turned into a scarf, mittens, hat, or blanket. How I could turn something so useless (a long string) into something so useful. That's one reason why I love to knit. The other reason why I love to knit is because it connects me to my past.
My Nana (dad's mum) taught me to knit during a visit that I very vaguely remember. I was less than 12 I know for sure. My Nana was one of the world's greatest knitters, and one of the world's greatest women. My relationship with my Nana was one of the most special I will ever have in my life, and I am always so grateful to have had 19 years with her. I loved all of my family, of course, but my Nana was my favourite. Anyway, she was a knitter, and on that random visit before I was 12, I asked to teach to me knit, and she did. I learned the basic stitch, and ended up with a swatch that was big enough to be a scarf for my teddy bear.
Sometime when I was approximately 12, I started "The Scarf". I suppose I remembered my first knitting lesson, and wanted to embark on a larger project. My Nana cast on the required stitches, reviewed the basic stitch with me, and off I went. This scarf got longer, more holey, and for some reason, wider (scarves apparently aren't supposed to do this). It was really ugly, because I was just using my Nana's yarn leftovers, and I'd change colours when I felt like it, with no pattern whatsoever. I remember "The Scarf" starting off orange, and including some red, yellow and turquoise sections.
Around the same time I was working on "The Scarf", my Grandpa had a stroke and was in the hospital. We went up to hospital to visit him a lot, and one of the diversions I brought was "The Scarf". I remember working on it in between doing word searches and playing my old school Gameboy. My Nana, and you could imagine how she would feel at this time, used to always comment on my progress on "The Scarf" and asked me who it was for. I always said it was for my Dad.
I obviously didn't know what was going to happen then. My dad and his brother took time off work to be in the hospital and my mom and I would sometimes join them. It was November, I think, and my solace to myself was to repeat to myself "everything will be okay at Christmas". It's funny, because during times of trouble, I still repeat that mantra. I don't know why, but it calms me.
My grandfather died after two weeks in the hospital. It was the first time that I experienced death in my life. It was hard, of course, but also inevitable since loss is a part of life.
I kept sporadically working on "The Scarf" for a few years. It became a family joke, in part because it was so incredibly ugly, but also because I insisted I would finish it, and when I did, I was going to give it to my dad, and he was going to wear it with pride.
"The Scarf" is still unfinished. I didn't knit for a long time, until a few years ago (when I still lived in my old apartment), I came across a beginner's knitting kit, complete with booklet, pattern, yarn, and needles, that was on sale at Indigo. I bought it, and taught myself to cast-on (my Nana always did that part for me), relearned the basic stitch, and finished a hat. This was quick, so I ran back to Indigo for a similar kit with a pattern for a hat and baby booties, that I figured I'd save for when someone had a baby.
Since then, I've made more hats, lots of scarves, baby booties, and as you all know, I just recently managed to teach myself mittens. I'm probably at the advanced-beginner stage as a knitter, and I'm unsure if I'll progress, because, well, I like little projects because I can finish them quickly. However, I'm amazed at the fact that I no longer make mistakes, my stitches are even, and there are no holes in my work. I've gotten a lot of comments on quality of my creations.
I honestly think that somehow my Nana is at work through my hands. It's not genetic, it's something more than that. Often when I knit, I tend to think about all of the awesome people who've been in my life. I remember all of my grandparents, who I've lost. I think of my parents, and the fact that I need to dig up "The Scarf" which is somewhere in my parents' house, and finish it, and give it to my Dad for Christmas. I think of the person who I'm knitting for. I think of the people I might be knitting with, on the rare occasion that happens. I sometimes even think about myself and where I've come from, where I am, and where I'm going.
I've decided to devote some time this summer to knitting (hence this post), even though I used to consider October to April knitting season. I bought a bunch of wool for mittens (stocking up on bday/Christmas gifts). I went out a couple of weeks ago with my dear friend Eric who wants to go buy expensive alpaca wool and have me knit him a scarf. I am excited to do this, because I'm going to make it my own design, and when he hangs out with his fashionable crowd and they comment on his scarf, he'll say "oh, it's a Christielli original". I am also excited because I found out that someone is going to be getting baby booties, a hat, and maybe a baby blanket in a few months. Oh, and I'm going to make some beer cozies as jokes for some people. Beer cozies: the perfect summer knitting experience!
And what a perfect way to end a summer post about knitting. :) (An ambitious post at that...)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
If there's one thing I learned in chemistry is that the gain of electrons is reduction obviously.
In the past two days, I've been told on two separate occasions that I'm really good at picking out greeting cards for people. This warms my heart.
I love the annual rhythm of the school year. Tonight is graduation, and then tomorrow is my last proper day of work for 2 months. Well, it's not proper; we just have meetings and then a luncheon, and then it's off for the 3rd annual pub crawl. Maybe I'll drunk post when I get home, or at least do a hungover post the next day.
I realized today that even though I'm looking forward very much to a break from work, I'm going to miss seeing my friends at work every day. Heck, I'm even going to slightly miss the dysfunctional people who at least give me something to gossip about/shake my head at. I'm also going to miss one teacher who is leaving our school this year. I think I've mentioned this before. I haven't cried, yet, because I think I'm still in the denial phase of the stages of loss.
In two weeks from today, I'll be halfway through my San Fran vacay. I can't believe it. I am really looking forward to it, because I really think that I just need a chance to get away from everything.
I don't like Wal-Mart, but only they carry this particular brand of wool with sparkles in it. I was there today with my work spouse, and I stocked up, because I think I'm going to use some downtime this summer to get a head start on some mitten-rific presents. I usually don't knit in the summer, because heat and wool usually don't mix, but I'm feeling a little bit agitated these days, I think some good knitting will soothe my soul.
I still need to organize my desk at work. I'll go in an hour early tomorrow morning and see what I can do.
I've got time for a 40 minute nap, then I have to get all spiffy for grad. I'm going to wear a fun skirt, and white top. Maybe I'll wear my fun new sandals to show off my red toenails. Hmmm. I think that is what I shall do.
That was a pretty random set of unconnected paragraphs, eh?
I love the annual rhythm of the school year. Tonight is graduation, and then tomorrow is my last proper day of work for 2 months. Well, it's not proper; we just have meetings and then a luncheon, and then it's off for the 3rd annual pub crawl. Maybe I'll drunk post when I get home, or at least do a hungover post the next day.
I realized today that even though I'm looking forward very much to a break from work, I'm going to miss seeing my friends at work every day. Heck, I'm even going to slightly miss the dysfunctional people who at least give me something to gossip about/shake my head at. I'm also going to miss one teacher who is leaving our school this year. I think I've mentioned this before. I haven't cried, yet, because I think I'm still in the denial phase of the stages of loss.
In two weeks from today, I'll be halfway through my San Fran vacay. I can't believe it. I am really looking forward to it, because I really think that I just need a chance to get away from everything.
I don't like Wal-Mart, but only they carry this particular brand of wool with sparkles in it. I was there today with my work spouse, and I stocked up, because I think I'm going to use some downtime this summer to get a head start on some mitten-rific presents. I usually don't knit in the summer, because heat and wool usually don't mix, but I'm feeling a little bit agitated these days, I think some good knitting will soothe my soul.
I still need to organize my desk at work. I'll go in an hour early tomorrow morning and see what I can do.
I've got time for a 40 minute nap, then I have to get all spiffy for grad. I'm going to wear a fun skirt, and white top. Maybe I'll wear my fun new sandals to show off my red toenails. Hmmm. I think that is what I shall do.
That was a pretty random set of unconnected paragraphs, eh?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I seem to recognize your face, haunting, familiar yet, I can't seem to place it.
You can tell the school year is ending when my reading grows exponentially. I just finished a book that I ended up enjoying quite a bit called "Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris. I went in hoping for the literary equivalent of The Office, and I'm not sure it delivered (but could that ever really happen anyway), but I did like it. I ended up getting attached to the characters, the dysfunction of their workplace, and I loved how the book ended.
I'm also halfway through a new book too that I just picked up at Indigo today when I was buying a gift for someone (isn't it funny how I always end up throwing in a gift for myself?). I can't believe that I haven't read this book before. It's called "Love is a Mix Tape" by Rob Sheffield. It basically tells the story of a rock journalist who unexpectedly loses his wife. It goes through his life, their relationship, etc. and links it to mix tapes he's made/had given to him throughout his life.
One of my goals this summer is to make some awesome mixes of my own for a select few friends and well-wishers. I love how in this book the author describes the different kinds of mix tapes there are. He brought up the radio tape, which is a compilations of songs from the radio. I used to be the queen of the radio tape in grades 6/7/8-ish. I remember making a mix tape where I would add Alanis' song "Too Hot" whenever it was played, and it made it at least 3 times per side. Radio tapes are fun for the unavoidable snippets of ads/chatter etc. that make it onto the tape. I actually have a bootleg copy of the Killers' "When You Were Young" that I downloaded way before the album came out. I love it because it is recorded from the radio and has the name of the station at the beginning of the song, during the song, and the DJ saying the name of the song at the end. It has always made me think of the days of the radio mix tape and thus, I've kept this version around, even though I'm sure I could get myself a "cleaner" version.
When making mix tapes for myself as a kid, I was always big into repeating songs on the tape (see Alanis example above). I remember a specific grunge tape that I made in about grade 9 that had Pearl Jam's "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" multiple times on the tape. I've always been one to listen to songs a lot constantly. I can download some random song from iTunes, and notice that two days later, I've listened to it 80 times. I don't know if this just means I have a simple mind, but I do love repetition.
The other thing I'm enjoying about this book, is the author's appreciation for the 90s. I loved that decade. On my to-do list, is to throw a kick-ass nineties party where plaid shirts, bad jeans, and Doc Martens are required wear, and I make the best 90s playlist ever. In fact, I should even dig out mix tapes that I made in the 90s and play those suckers. I guess the drink of choice would have to be Mike's Hard Lemonade, which was my beverage in the 90s. I'm not sure if my elderly stomach could take it, but I'd try. Anyway, I gotta throw this party. Of course, when it comes to parties, I have a long list of parties that I need to throw: my blender party to use of the rum I bought in Cuba in 2006 (still gotta get a blender for this), oh and in September it's gonna be mine and Becca T's 10th anniversary, and a cheesy, corny party is required for this. Hmmm, maybe I could merge that with my 90s party since we *did* meet in the 90s.
The last thing I'm going to say about mix tapes, is that they were so cool because so much care and time had to go into making one. You had to sit there and listen to every song, unless you had one of those cool dubbing tape decks, which I did not. Sigh, okay, enough about mix tapes.
All right, I think I'm done blogging. I'd like to do more, but I spent like three hours tonight on the phone with various people, so I might have just used up my allotment of words for the day (or week). It kind of made me feel like a teenager again, talking on the phone so much. I remember talking on the phone for hours and hours with my friends, who I most likely had chatted with all freaking day at school. And I was probably making a mix tape while chatting.
Ahh, the 90s. That was a random post, eh?
I'm also halfway through a new book too that I just picked up at Indigo today when I was buying a gift for someone (isn't it funny how I always end up throwing in a gift for myself?). I can't believe that I haven't read this book before. It's called "Love is a Mix Tape" by Rob Sheffield. It basically tells the story of a rock journalist who unexpectedly loses his wife. It goes through his life, their relationship, etc. and links it to mix tapes he's made/had given to him throughout his life.
One of my goals this summer is to make some awesome mixes of my own for a select few friends and well-wishers. I love how in this book the author describes the different kinds of mix tapes there are. He brought up the radio tape, which is a compilations of songs from the radio. I used to be the queen of the radio tape in grades 6/7/8-ish. I remember making a mix tape where I would add Alanis' song "Too Hot" whenever it was played, and it made it at least 3 times per side. Radio tapes are fun for the unavoidable snippets of ads/chatter etc. that make it onto the tape. I actually have a bootleg copy of the Killers' "When You Were Young" that I downloaded way before the album came out. I love it because it is recorded from the radio and has the name of the station at the beginning of the song, during the song, and the DJ saying the name of the song at the end. It has always made me think of the days of the radio mix tape and thus, I've kept this version around, even though I'm sure I could get myself a "cleaner" version.
When making mix tapes for myself as a kid, I was always big into repeating songs on the tape (see Alanis example above). I remember a specific grunge tape that I made in about grade 9 that had Pearl Jam's "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" multiple times on the tape. I've always been one to listen to songs a lot constantly. I can download some random song from iTunes, and notice that two days later, I've listened to it 80 times. I don't know if this just means I have a simple mind, but I do love repetition.
The other thing I'm enjoying about this book, is the author's appreciation for the 90s. I loved that decade. On my to-do list, is to throw a kick-ass nineties party where plaid shirts, bad jeans, and Doc Martens are required wear, and I make the best 90s playlist ever. In fact, I should even dig out mix tapes that I made in the 90s and play those suckers. I guess the drink of choice would have to be Mike's Hard Lemonade, which was my beverage in the 90s. I'm not sure if my elderly stomach could take it, but I'd try. Anyway, I gotta throw this party. Of course, when it comes to parties, I have a long list of parties that I need to throw: my blender party to use of the rum I bought in Cuba in 2006 (still gotta get a blender for this), oh and in September it's gonna be mine and Becca T's 10th anniversary, and a cheesy, corny party is required for this. Hmmm, maybe I could merge that with my 90s party since we *did* meet in the 90s.
The last thing I'm going to say about mix tapes, is that they were so cool because so much care and time had to go into making one. You had to sit there and listen to every song, unless you had one of those cool dubbing tape decks, which I did not. Sigh, okay, enough about mix tapes.
All right, I think I'm done blogging. I'd like to do more, but I spent like three hours tonight on the phone with various people, so I might have just used up my allotment of words for the day (or week). It kind of made me feel like a teenager again, talking on the phone so much. I remember talking on the phone for hours and hours with my friends, who I most likely had chatted with all freaking day at school. And I was probably making a mix tape while chatting.
Ahh, the 90s. That was a random post, eh?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Head straight, feel my arms, I know it's you, I know you're out there, surprising me...
I really did want to make a Friday the 13th post, but that didn't happen. However, you can't have Sunday the 15th (it's past midnight) if there wasn't a Friday the 13th so I guess it all works out. Nothing bad happened to me on Friday the 13th, actually, I got some good news following a little scare on Thursday the 12th (a friend had a health scare, but is A-OK now), so really, I guess Friday the 13th kicked some ass.
In exciting Friday the 13th news, I bought a new camera for myself since I figure now's a good time since I have two summer trips (San Fran, East Coast) planned. This is the camera I went for, and you better believe I opted for the pink model. I'm going to give my old camera to my aunt, so that assuages any guilt I have for buying a new camera when I have a perfectly good, albeit out-dated, camera. Anyway, I'll post some pics from the new toy, when I get around to taking some. Maybe having a new camera will make my blog more picture happy.
So far my weekend's been quiet, but I've been spending some time with friends. Last night I went on an impromptu shopping/coffee run with my pal Mathew which resulted in me getting some $10 jeans, a $15 pink short-sleeved hoodie with birds and hearts on it, and some cheap flip-flops. I didn't need any of the items, but who was I to say no with prices like that?
Today I started by getting my haircut at my new place in Kensington Market. As I was walked down Spadina, some sort of naked bicycle parade passed me by (and me without my new camera... yeesh... there were people stopping to take pictures of the spectacle). I have to say, that some people have real balls (no pun intended) to do like that. I was reminded of a Seinfeld episode where he discussed good-naked and bad-naked, and I think naked cycling is bad-naked for most people.
After I got my stylish new cut, I met up with my friend Flora for a manicure and pedicure. I went for a pretty racy red on my fingers and toes, and I love it. I don't want to chip my nails, so I can use that as an excuse not to do any strenuous cleaning for the next few days. :)
After sushi for dinner, Flora and I hung out here where we hammered out the planning aspect of our August trip out east. Being that we are both teachers, we're pretty effective planners, and I think we kicked some ass. Maybe should quit teaching and become travel agents? Hmmm, do travel agents get the summer off? No? Oh well, forget it then.
We were supposed to go to a wine and cheese party, but it was canceled, so we went for gelato instead. Again, the delightful gelato place down the street did not have my fave flavour (amaretto), so I guess I'll just have to eat gelato every day until they do!
So tomorrow I have an exciting day of cleaning, errands, and work planned. Boo. Hence, I don't really feel like going to bed, since I'll eventually have to wake up to that scenario, so I'm staying up and blogging. I also decided to download "A Great Stage" by Will Currie and the Country French, so I had to stay up for that to complete itself. I'm on my first listen, and I'm digging the piano and the xylophone. :)
In exciting Friday the 13th news, I bought a new camera for myself since I figure now's a good time since I have two summer trips (San Fran, East Coast) planned. This is the camera I went for, and you better believe I opted for the pink model. I'm going to give my old camera to my aunt, so that assuages any guilt I have for buying a new camera when I have a perfectly good, albeit out-dated, camera. Anyway, I'll post some pics from the new toy, when I get around to taking some. Maybe having a new camera will make my blog more picture happy.
So far my weekend's been quiet, but I've been spending some time with friends. Last night I went on an impromptu shopping/coffee run with my pal Mathew which resulted in me getting some $10 jeans, a $15 pink short-sleeved hoodie with birds and hearts on it, and some cheap flip-flops. I didn't need any of the items, but who was I to say no with prices like that?
Today I started by getting my haircut at my new place in Kensington Market. As I was walked down Spadina, some sort of naked bicycle parade passed me by (and me without my new camera... yeesh... there were people stopping to take pictures of the spectacle). I have to say, that some people have real balls (no pun intended) to do like that. I was reminded of a Seinfeld episode where he discussed good-naked and bad-naked, and I think naked cycling is bad-naked for most people.
After I got my stylish new cut, I met up with my friend Flora for a manicure and pedicure. I went for a pretty racy red on my fingers and toes, and I love it. I don't want to chip my nails, so I can use that as an excuse not to do any strenuous cleaning for the next few days. :)
After sushi for dinner, Flora and I hung out here where we hammered out the planning aspect of our August trip out east. Being that we are both teachers, we're pretty effective planners, and I think we kicked some ass. Maybe should quit teaching and become travel agents? Hmmm, do travel agents get the summer off? No? Oh well, forget it then.
We were supposed to go to a wine and cheese party, but it was canceled, so we went for gelato instead. Again, the delightful gelato place down the street did not have my fave flavour (amaretto), so I guess I'll just have to eat gelato every day until they do!
So tomorrow I have an exciting day of cleaning, errands, and work planned. Boo. Hence, I don't really feel like going to bed, since I'll eventually have to wake up to that scenario, so I'm staying up and blogging. I also decided to download "A Great Stage" by Will Currie and the Country French, so I had to stay up for that to complete itself. I'm on my first listen, and I'm digging the piano and the xylophone. :)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
If you believe everything has a reason...
Here's a happy thought post. I'm in the middle of marking furiously right now, but I'm taking a bit of an extended break:
1) My classes rock this semester, especially my grade 10s. I'm starting to get mushy on them since I have very few days left with them. I'm sick of marking and ready for a break from that, but I'm going to miss the kids a lot.
2) It's a long story, but I've been working on gardening with some students after school for the past month. (Luckily I have help from a professional gardener at the park near our school. If there's one thing I don't do, besides cooking, it's taking care of leafy green beings.) Anyway, today I was happily out in the sun, weeding, wearing my fabulous expensive sunglasses, and listening to horns honking furiously because Portugal won a soccer game today. It was one of those rare moments where life is just weird and funny (who gardens with teenagers?), and really enjoyable. I love when the little moments just make the other annoying aspects of life irrelevant.
3) REM was fantastic. Becca T said it was the best bday present ever. Yay!
4) This weekend I'm pampering myself. I'm getting my haircut by my new hairstylist (with whom I am seriously in love), and getting a manicure and pedicure. I'm going to go broke one of these days, but at least I'm going broke in style.
5) Did I mention that I teach the most fabulous students ever?? I'm taking a break from marking projects that show that they've learned stuff from me and even remember the stuff I say! Wow!
6) My online course sucks and is boring boring boring boring but it is now half over, and I'm getting As on stuff so that's all good.
7)All right, this happy thinking has motivated me to go to back to marking. Later!
1) My classes rock this semester, especially my grade 10s. I'm starting to get mushy on them since I have very few days left with them. I'm sick of marking and ready for a break from that, but I'm going to miss the kids a lot.
2) It's a long story, but I've been working on gardening with some students after school for the past month. (Luckily I have help from a professional gardener at the park near our school. If there's one thing I don't do, besides cooking, it's taking care of leafy green beings.) Anyway, today I was happily out in the sun, weeding, wearing my fabulous expensive sunglasses, and listening to horns honking furiously because Portugal won a soccer game today. It was one of those rare moments where life is just weird and funny (who gardens with teenagers?), and really enjoyable. I love when the little moments just make the other annoying aspects of life irrelevant.
3) REM was fantastic. Becca T said it was the best bday present ever. Yay!
4) This weekend I'm pampering myself. I'm getting my haircut by my new hairstylist (with whom I am seriously in love), and getting a manicure and pedicure. I'm going to go broke one of these days, but at least I'm going broke in style.
5) Did I mention that I teach the most fabulous students ever?? I'm taking a break from marking projects that show that they've learned stuff from me and even remember the stuff I say! Wow!
6) My online course sucks and is boring boring boring boring but it is now half over, and I'm getting As on stuff so that's all good.
7)All right, this happy thinking has motivated me to go to back to marking. Later!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh...
So one of my last few weekends before the summer of fabulousity is bringing in the fabulousity itself.
On Friday, I went out for drinks with some friends and then we went to see the Sex and the City movie. I would probably give it 3.5 stars out of 5. I thought it was a bit on the long side. I actually would have only given it 3 stars, but I threw in the extra 0.5 star for all of the purses, shoes, and clothing in the movie. However, during the movie I did have a couple of *deep thoughts* about my life, but now I totally forget what those are. I blame the heat of this weekend for perhaps killing a couple of brain cells.
Speaking of heat, I really need to get an air-conditioner, I think. The only downside of not owning a car that I can identify is that it takes me *forever* to make a big purchase, because I tend to think "oh, I'll ask so and so to drive me next time he/she visits me" but then I never do ask. Hence it never gets done.
Anyway, yesterday I spend the day hanging out with friends who all had air conditioning so I was good. But, boy, did I eat. I went to a friend's bday breakfast where we had waffles, champagne, fresh-squeezed juice, chocolate croissants, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Yum. It made me feel like it should have been my bday.
In the afternoon I headed out to the suburbs for my friend's annual June dinner party with a bunch of her various teacher-friends (yes, a dinner party full of teachers). It was really fun with lots of great food and a chocolate fountain. Yum.
Today, I have to drag my sorry self to the gym to try and maybe work off some of yesterday's food. Then, I plan to mark for a bit at Starbucks with a frappucino. Then, it's Becca T's not-so-much of a surprise REM concert! I'm very excited. It was supposed to thunderstorm today, which would be bad news because all I could afford was uncovered lawn seats. However, the morning was sunny and there are a few clouds now, but nothing ominous looking. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!
On Friday, I went out for drinks with some friends and then we went to see the Sex and the City movie. I would probably give it 3.5 stars out of 5. I thought it was a bit on the long side. I actually would have only given it 3 stars, but I threw in the extra 0.5 star for all of the purses, shoes, and clothing in the movie. However, during the movie I did have a couple of *deep thoughts* about my life, but now I totally forget what those are. I blame the heat of this weekend for perhaps killing a couple of brain cells.
Speaking of heat, I really need to get an air-conditioner, I think. The only downside of not owning a car that I can identify is that it takes me *forever* to make a big purchase, because I tend to think "oh, I'll ask so and so to drive me next time he/she visits me" but then I never do ask. Hence it never gets done.
Anyway, yesterday I spend the day hanging out with friends who all had air conditioning so I was good. But, boy, did I eat. I went to a friend's bday breakfast where we had waffles, champagne, fresh-squeezed juice, chocolate croissants, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Yum. It made me feel like it should have been my bday.
In the afternoon I headed out to the suburbs for my friend's annual June dinner party with a bunch of her various teacher-friends (yes, a dinner party full of teachers). It was really fun with lots of great food and a chocolate fountain. Yum.
Today, I have to drag my sorry self to the gym to try and maybe work off some of yesterday's food. Then, I plan to mark for a bit at Starbucks with a frappucino. Then, it's Becca T's not-so-much of a surprise REM concert! I'm very excited. It was supposed to thunderstorm today, which would be bad news because all I could afford was uncovered lawn seats. However, the morning was sunny and there are a few clouds now, but nothing ominous looking. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Honey won't you let your red heart show?
Note: If my dear real-life friends Mathew and Becca T are reading this (which I'm pretty sure you're not because I don't think you frequent my blog much), you should probably look away because I am going to blog about your birthday presents. You have been warned. Don't ruin it for yourselves!
It's hump day of the second last proper week of school before exams start and the pace slows down and I'll have time to breathe a bit more.
Anyway, yesterday I had like the best random shopping experience at Indigo (bookstore). I wandered in there on my way home from work to get some birthday cards and stuff for people (I like buying neat cards)and I scored some other cool stuff that I actually just had to take pictures of, and post on here (I haven't done that in a long while).
They had iPod gelaskins on sale for 75% off. I got a Kandinsky for mine, and also one to add to Becca T's 30th bday gift (her fave painting: The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Hokusai).
Then I found the best thing ever: ticket stub diaries! Albums with slots for all of your tickets and spaces to write about your concerts. I am so going to take a day this summer to dig up all my old ticket stubs and organize them. I'm excited! I got one for my pals Becca T and Mathew, who enjoy concerts *almost* as much as me.
Then, when I got home yesterday, I noticed that a band that I discovered in March, Hey Rosetta! (they played on stage with Hawksley when I saw him in March) had come out with a new album, Into Your Lungs, and it was only $6.93 on Itunes! I downloaded it and it is brilliant! I am pretty sure it will make it onto my top 10 list for 2008. I love each and every song, but my favourite is Red Heart (see post title). I love the strings, the piano, and the way most of the songs start off rather calm and then crescendo into a frenzy. Love love love.
So those are some of the the current enjoyabilities in my life. Oh, and I had the best cookie today too. That was pretty sweet.
Things to complain about:
a) I seem to have lost my favourite school-teacher-y sweater. It was a pretty boring garment, but useful, and it's totally disappeared. Last time I remember seeing it was last week when I washed it, and I'm pretty sure I did not wear it since. Hmmm... Maybe I have a sweater-eating monster living in my apartment that I wasn't aware of.
b) Vast piles of marking. I still have about 8 sets of major assignments to mark before the end. Boo.
c) Making plans that I didn't really want to make, and then keeping them because I am not a plan-breaker. Maybe they won't be as bad as I fear.
d) Assignment time for my online course has crept up again. Boo-urns.
All right, enough of the complaining. It is highly unproductive, but I do find that there is some value in venting. Although it seems like I've been doing far too much venting these days. Oh well, c'est la vie.
ps Thanks for the finger crossing on Friday. I might need more of it next week. :)
It's hump day of the second last proper week of school before exams start and the pace slows down and I'll have time to breathe a bit more.
Anyway, yesterday I had like the best random shopping experience at Indigo (bookstore). I wandered in there on my way home from work to get some birthday cards and stuff for people (I like buying neat cards)and I scored some other cool stuff that I actually just had to take pictures of, and post on here (I haven't done that in a long while).
They had iPod gelaskins on sale for 75% off. I got a Kandinsky for mine, and also one to add to Becca T's 30th bday gift (her fave painting: The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Hokusai).
Then I found the best thing ever: ticket stub diaries! Albums with slots for all of your tickets and spaces to write about your concerts. I am so going to take a day this summer to dig up all my old ticket stubs and organize them. I'm excited! I got one for my pals Becca T and Mathew, who enjoy concerts *almost* as much as me.
Then, when I got home yesterday, I noticed that a band that I discovered in March, Hey Rosetta! (they played on stage with Hawksley when I saw him in March) had come out with a new album, Into Your Lungs, and it was only $6.93 on Itunes! I downloaded it and it is brilliant! I am pretty sure it will make it onto my top 10 list for 2008. I love each and every song, but my favourite is Red Heart (see post title). I love the strings, the piano, and the way most of the songs start off rather calm and then crescendo into a frenzy. Love love love.
So those are some of the the current enjoyabilities in my life. Oh, and I had the best cookie today too. That was pretty sweet.
Things to complain about:
a) I seem to have lost my favourite school-teacher-y sweater. It was a pretty boring garment, but useful, and it's totally disappeared. Last time I remember seeing it was last week when I washed it, and I'm pretty sure I did not wear it since. Hmmm... Maybe I have a sweater-eating monster living in my apartment that I wasn't aware of.
b) Vast piles of marking. I still have about 8 sets of major assignments to mark before the end. Boo.
c) Making plans that I didn't really want to make, and then keeping them because I am not a plan-breaker. Maybe they won't be as bad as I fear.
d) Assignment time for my online course has crept up again. Boo-urns.
All right, enough of the complaining. It is highly unproductive, but I do find that there is some value in venting. Although it seems like I've been doing far too much venting these days. Oh well, c'est la vie.
ps Thanks for the finger crossing on Friday. I might need more of it next week. :)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Say hey, say hey, say how you doing?
Back with fuzzy ears from Matt Good at Massey Hall (that's what two days of rock and roll will do to a girl). It was a great show. This was my first time hearing material from "Hospital Music" live, and I really enjoyed those songs. That album will forever remind me of travelling out west last summer, especially listening to it while taking the train through the Rockies, and walking along the beach in White Rock, BC. I love how memories and music are linked.
I loved hearing the older material too, especially kickass versions of Giant and Everything is Automatic. I really became a Matt Good fan during my first year of university, which was almost 10 years ago, so that's a pretty long time. It's funny to think about how much I've changed since I first listened to some songs so long ago. For me, music can be a map that can show me where I've been, where I am now, and sometimes even point me in the right direction. I think I fell into a bit of a rut post-March Break, but I'm out of it. I think rock shows and upcoming trips help that.
Speaking of upcoming trips, I had dinner tonight with my friend who I'm going on the TBA July trip with. I think we're leaning towards San Francisco. This has totally been my year of exploring North America, so I think going to California will be appropriate. Next summer, I will have to get off the continent for sure. I'm excited. And, we had dinner on a patio of a Mexican restaurant and I had a mango margarita. Then we went to the Matt Good show. Oh, it's painful to think that it's not the weekend yet, because tonight really felt like a Friday. Hence I'm up waaaaaaay past my bedtime.
Oh, and Rilo Kiley last night was great. It was my first time seeing them live and I was really impressed. Jenny Lewis has an incredible voice and they are a great live band. *Sigh* I love concerts.
Anyway, I have a few fun things planned this weekend to space out in between the mounds of work to do. I have to catch up with the stupid online course, mark, and write exams. :(
ps Keep your fingers crossed for me Friday at 8 pm EST. Top secret, but finger-crossing would be muchly appreciated.
pps I can't believe I've not made plans to see the Sex and the City movie... yet... will go soon.
I loved hearing the older material too, especially kickass versions of Giant and Everything is Automatic. I really became a Matt Good fan during my first year of university, which was almost 10 years ago, so that's a pretty long time. It's funny to think about how much I've changed since I first listened to some songs so long ago. For me, music can be a map that can show me where I've been, where I am now, and sometimes even point me in the right direction. I think I fell into a bit of a rut post-March Break, but I'm out of it. I think rock shows and upcoming trips help that.
Speaking of upcoming trips, I had dinner tonight with my friend who I'm going on the TBA July trip with. I think we're leaning towards San Francisco. This has totally been my year of exploring North America, so I think going to California will be appropriate. Next summer, I will have to get off the continent for sure. I'm excited. And, we had dinner on a patio of a Mexican restaurant and I had a mango margarita. Then we went to the Matt Good show. Oh, it's painful to think that it's not the weekend yet, because tonight really felt like a Friday. Hence I'm up waaaaaaay past my bedtime.
Oh, and Rilo Kiley last night was great. It was my first time seeing them live and I was really impressed. Jenny Lewis has an incredible voice and they are a great live band. *Sigh* I love concerts.
Anyway, I have a few fun things planned this weekend to space out in between the mounds of work to do. I have to catch up with the stupid online course, mark, and write exams. :(
ps Keep your fingers crossed for me Friday at 8 pm EST. Top secret, but finger-crossing would be muchly appreciated.
pps I can't believe I've not made plans to see the Sex and the City movie... yet... will go soon.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Because living well is the best revenge.
As the weather gets warmer, the hours of sunlight increase, and the number of days I have left to teach decreases, my thoughts inevitably drift to summer vacation. I am blessed to have a job that I completely loved. I am even more blessed that this job affords me two straight months of living stress-free with none of the entanglements of the daily grind. Again, I love my job, but the two months of summer feel like a different kind of life. Now, if my life was always summer vacation, then I wouldn't appreciate it, so I guess I'm trying to say is that the school year is extra good for allowing me to appreciate my time off.
So anyhow, I've decided to coin this summer the summer of fabulousity. I like making up words. So far, I think it's stacking up. I do have my online course to finish in July, however, I'm hoping that I'll buckle down and do the remainder of my assignments ahead of time the very first week of July, so that all I'll have to do is maintain an online presence after that. Anyway, the online course will be the only aspect of my summer that will be un-fabulous.
Yesterday I hung out with one of my good friends from university. We've decided that we're going to fly out to PEI, then rent a car and drive around the Maritimes. We also invited one of my friends from high school to join us. These are actually the same girls with whom I went to Australia in the summer of 2005, so it will be a fun reunion. I plan on eating lobster, sunning on some beaches, and having tonnes of fun.
Today was another beautiful sunny warm-ish day, and I spent some of it brunching on a patio with a couple of friends from work. Sitting on a patio, while wearing the new sunglasses that I totally splurged on yesterday (thank you income tax return), and sipping a mimosa, was pretty fabulous, and I hope to do more of it once the summer rolls around. Anyway, one of my coworkers and I are going to travel somewhere the first full week of July. We're not sure where yet. Both of us are open to going anywhere and we're going to sort out the details. Maybe we'll just wait until the last minute and see if we can get a good deal or something. I'm still leaning towards Paris, so we'll see.
Anyway, I can't wait for summer!!! At least I've got lots of fun stuff to keep me occupied until then. I will update you on my week with two concerts in a row. :)
So anyhow, I've decided to coin this summer the summer of fabulousity. I like making up words. So far, I think it's stacking up. I do have my online course to finish in July, however, I'm hoping that I'll buckle down and do the remainder of my assignments ahead of time the very first week of July, so that all I'll have to do is maintain an online presence after that. Anyway, the online course will be the only aspect of my summer that will be un-fabulous.
Yesterday I hung out with one of my good friends from university. We've decided that we're going to fly out to PEI, then rent a car and drive around the Maritimes. We also invited one of my friends from high school to join us. These are actually the same girls with whom I went to Australia in the summer of 2005, so it will be a fun reunion. I plan on eating lobster, sunning on some beaches, and having tonnes of fun.
Today was another beautiful sunny warm-ish day, and I spent some of it brunching on a patio with a couple of friends from work. Sitting on a patio, while wearing the new sunglasses that I totally splurged on yesterday (thank you income tax return), and sipping a mimosa, was pretty fabulous, and I hope to do more of it once the summer rolls around. Anyway, one of my coworkers and I are going to travel somewhere the first full week of July. We're not sure where yet. Both of us are open to going anywhere and we're going to sort out the details. Maybe we'll just wait until the last minute and see if we can get a good deal or something. I'm still leaning towards Paris, so we'll see.
Anyway, I can't wait for summer!!! At least I've got lots of fun stuff to keep me occupied until then. I will update you on my week with two concerts in a row. :)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I should have known with a boy like you your middle name is always...
Random musings from a Wednesday that was far too cold and rainy for my likings:
1) I feel like I've been attached at the hip to this computer for far too long with the assignments for my stupid online course. I just finished my *last* assignment that is due this week. That makes me approximately 25% finished the course, which pleases me. It went fast. I'll be finished before I know it. Oh, and I got an A on my discussion contribution for the first part. Woo-hoo! I'm so like Lisa Simpson; I love being graded. And quelle surprise I got a good mark for talking online...
2) In sadder news, I learned today that one of my favourite teachers at my school has accepted a position at another school. This man is a saint, and it will be a huge loss to our school community because he does so much for the school. I'm really sad for this. I'm happy for him that he has a new opportunity, but I'll miss him.
3) In happier news, I have exactly one week until I see Rilo Kiley, then the next day it's Matt Good. At Massey Hall. With a full band. Sweet. Yay for concert-going goodness. I haven't been to a show since March Break.
4) I'm ashamed to admit that I've been sort-of-kind-of watching American Idol this season (just in the background as I do coursework and marking and the like). Anyway, it was so boring tonight that it facilitated me getting that last assignment completed. But, I was pleasantly surprised that the cliche-grunge-rocker dude that I was rooting for won.
5) I love short weeks. I can't believe that tomorrow is already Thursday. I've got a full complement of social activities planned for the weekend, during which I'll also be bouncing off summer travel ideas off of travel buddies. Fabulous.
6) If you are in Canada, go download the iTunes free song of the week: "Surprise Me" by Will Currie and the Country French. Love it.
7) I also picked up the REM tickets that I bought for Becca T for her bday. She knew the date of her bday surprise, so in a moment of weakness, she looked up what it was. However, she has not specifically said what she suspects I'm brining her to, nor have I said anything. For all she knows, I could be bringing her to the Death Angel concert which is also on that date. (I have no idea who that band is, but they sound scary, and they're playing with another band called God Forbid. Sounds like scary metal stuff to me. Which would really make a kickass gift, eh?)
8) Becca T is currently on vacay in France. Lucky. I think one of my next travel goals will be to go to France, specifically to see Versailles. I have to since I went through a big Marie Antoinette/Josephine Bonaparte phase last year.
All right, random Wednesday musings out! :)
1) I feel like I've been attached at the hip to this computer for far too long with the assignments for my stupid online course. I just finished my *last* assignment that is due this week. That makes me approximately 25% finished the course, which pleases me. It went fast. I'll be finished before I know it. Oh, and I got an A on my discussion contribution for the first part. Woo-hoo! I'm so like Lisa Simpson; I love being graded. And quelle surprise I got a good mark for talking online...
2) In sadder news, I learned today that one of my favourite teachers at my school has accepted a position at another school. This man is a saint, and it will be a huge loss to our school community because he does so much for the school. I'm really sad for this. I'm happy for him that he has a new opportunity, but I'll miss him.
3) In happier news, I have exactly one week until I see Rilo Kiley, then the next day it's Matt Good. At Massey Hall. With a full band. Sweet. Yay for concert-going goodness. I haven't been to a show since March Break.
4) I'm ashamed to admit that I've been sort-of-kind-of watching American Idol this season (just in the background as I do coursework and marking and the like). Anyway, it was so boring tonight that it facilitated me getting that last assignment completed. But, I was pleasantly surprised that the cliche-grunge-rocker dude that I was rooting for won.
5) I love short weeks. I can't believe that tomorrow is already Thursday. I've got a full complement of social activities planned for the weekend, during which I'll also be bouncing off summer travel ideas off of travel buddies. Fabulous.
6) If you are in Canada, go download the iTunes free song of the week: "Surprise Me" by Will Currie and the Country French. Love it.
7) I also picked up the REM tickets that I bought for Becca T for her bday. She knew the date of her bday surprise, so in a moment of weakness, she looked up what it was. However, she has not specifically said what she suspects I'm brining her to, nor have I said anything. For all she knows, I could be bringing her to the Death Angel concert which is also on that date. (I have no idea who that band is, but they sound scary, and they're playing with another band called God Forbid. Sounds like scary metal stuff to me. Which would really make a kickass gift, eh?)
8) Becca T is currently on vacay in France. Lucky. I think one of my next travel goals will be to go to France, specifically to see Versailles. I have to since I went through a big Marie Antoinette/Josephine Bonaparte phase last year.
All right, random Wednesday musings out! :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
And I been burned and I been learned in the same city.
Aren't Mondays absolutely fabulous when you don't have to go to work? I love it. And to think, in a few short weeks I'll have two months worth of Mondays with no work. Yes, I know. I'll shut up about that.
Unfortunately I've had a huge cloud hanging over my head this long weekend: all of the first batch of assignments for my stupid online course are due at various times this week and I still haven't started any of them. So needless to say, that's what I'm procrastinating right now. Thankfully it's a a cold cloudy day today. That makes staying in and working all afternoon much easier.
The rest of my long weekend was pretty good. Friday was my mom's bday so I headed down to St. Ratford and got in some quality time watching a few episodes of Flight of the Conchords with the 'rents and hanging out with some of my friends, who constantly remind me what fabulous people they are and how lucky I am to have them in my life.
On my way back to Toronto last night, I read the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, which a friend at work lent to me. It's a quick read, and I really enjoyed it. It's based on a lecture about really living your childhood dreams given by a computer science professor who has terminal cancer. I was able to finish it on the train and it gave me a lot to think about. There's a lot of great advice for living in the book; and it also made me reflect on my childhood dreams.
So what were my childhood dreams and how am I doing with living them?
Dream #1 - Living in Toronto
As a child, I was pretty certain that staying in St. Ratford was not for me. Visiting Toronto was always so exciting to me; driving in and seeing the skyline would take my breath away. I wanted more. As I got older, I started to fall into the Toronto-is-scary mentality that many small town people have, and I came to believe that city life might not be for me. Luckily, fate intervened, and it was U of T that had the programs that I wanted, and they offered me the largest scholarship of any of the schools to which I applied. I was really nervous to come here, but after a few weeks, I knew I was where I was meant to be. Ever since then, I've known Toronto is where I belong. All of the most positive events of the last 10 years of my life have happened in this city. And, I still get that same feeling of excitement when I enter the city; however it is now happily paired with feelings of familiarity and home.
Dream #2 - Becoming a Rock Star
Unsurprisingly, I was into music from a very young age. I listened to cheesy pop in the 80s/early 90s and in 1994, I bought Pearl Jam's Vs. album, and I began my journey through 90s grunge rock to the music snob you all know and love today. Anyhow, when I was young, I always dreamed of myself becoming a music star, despite the fact that I had no discernible musical talent. I played piano for years, but I was spectacularily mediocre.
However, I am living this dream the best way that I can by having music as my primary interest, and going to as many shows as possible. I can't be a rock star, but boy, I'm a pretty good fan. :)
Dream #3 - Writing
I wrote a lot of stories as a child and even though I went through a huge span of career dreams, writing was always there. I've always loved stories and books, and I dreamed of becoming a writer. I've always had ideas for books in my head, but unfortunately, I don't have a time to actually write them. Maybe one summer I'll buckle down and just write? I don't know if this will ever happen, but at least I do have my blog, which is my little corner of the universe in which I can write whatever I want, and that's something.
Dream #4 - Having a BFF
I'm not sure if this is a result of being an only child from a small family, but I spent a lot of time as a child imagining being an adult with an awesome best friend or best friends. People with siblings, or are close to cousins etc, have built-in friends to rely on, but I guess I always realized that I'd have to find these people on my own. And, I'm glad to say I have. As any reader knows, I have my BFF, my dear Becca T. And, on top of that, I have a lot of other close circles of friends: my high school friends, my university friends, and my friends from work. Whenever I'm going through a tough time, or a good time, I am always reminded how awesome these people are. They will be there to hold me up, or just to be happy for me.
Dream #5 - Having a job I love
As I said before, I dreamed of a variety of career possiblities when I was a child: paleontologist, novelist, journalist, pharmacist, doctor, rock star, teacher, business-type person, and I could go on. However, the commonality was that I always really truly loved whatever it was that I was doing. So even though I may not have ended up with the most glamourous of my many dreams, I do love what I do.
Anyway, those were the big five that came to my mind as I was reading the book. I had lots more dreams too: travelling (I'm doing well on that front) and getting married (it'll happen if it's meant to, I'm sure) come to mind as well.
What were your childhood dreams?
Unfortunately I've had a huge cloud hanging over my head this long weekend: all of the first batch of assignments for my stupid online course are due at various times this week and I still haven't started any of them. So needless to say, that's what I'm procrastinating right now. Thankfully it's a a cold cloudy day today. That makes staying in and working all afternoon much easier.
The rest of my long weekend was pretty good. Friday was my mom's bday so I headed down to St. Ratford and got in some quality time watching a few episodes of Flight of the Conchords with the 'rents and hanging out with some of my friends, who constantly remind me what fabulous people they are and how lucky I am to have them in my life.
On my way back to Toronto last night, I read the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, which a friend at work lent to me. It's a quick read, and I really enjoyed it. It's based on a lecture about really living your childhood dreams given by a computer science professor who has terminal cancer. I was able to finish it on the train and it gave me a lot to think about. There's a lot of great advice for living in the book; and it also made me reflect on my childhood dreams.
So what were my childhood dreams and how am I doing with living them?
Dream #1 - Living in Toronto
As a child, I was pretty certain that staying in St. Ratford was not for me. Visiting Toronto was always so exciting to me; driving in and seeing the skyline would take my breath away. I wanted more. As I got older, I started to fall into the Toronto-is-scary mentality that many small town people have, and I came to believe that city life might not be for me. Luckily, fate intervened, and it was U of T that had the programs that I wanted, and they offered me the largest scholarship of any of the schools to which I applied. I was really nervous to come here, but after a few weeks, I knew I was where I was meant to be. Ever since then, I've known Toronto is where I belong. All of the most positive events of the last 10 years of my life have happened in this city. And, I still get that same feeling of excitement when I enter the city; however it is now happily paired with feelings of familiarity and home.
Dream #2 - Becoming a Rock Star
Unsurprisingly, I was into music from a very young age. I listened to cheesy pop in the 80s/early 90s and in 1994, I bought Pearl Jam's Vs. album, and I began my journey through 90s grunge rock to the music snob you all know and love today. Anyhow, when I was young, I always dreamed of myself becoming a music star, despite the fact that I had no discernible musical talent. I played piano for years, but I was spectacularily mediocre.
However, I am living this dream the best way that I can by having music as my primary interest, and going to as many shows as possible. I can't be a rock star, but boy, I'm a pretty good fan. :)
Dream #3 - Writing
I wrote a lot of stories as a child and even though I went through a huge span of career dreams, writing was always there. I've always loved stories and books, and I dreamed of becoming a writer. I've always had ideas for books in my head, but unfortunately, I don't have a time to actually write them. Maybe one summer I'll buckle down and just write? I don't know if this will ever happen, but at least I do have my blog, which is my little corner of the universe in which I can write whatever I want, and that's something.
Dream #4 - Having a BFF
I'm not sure if this is a result of being an only child from a small family, but I spent a lot of time as a child imagining being an adult with an awesome best friend or best friends. People with siblings, or are close to cousins etc, have built-in friends to rely on, but I guess I always realized that I'd have to find these people on my own. And, I'm glad to say I have. As any reader knows, I have my BFF, my dear Becca T. And, on top of that, I have a lot of other close circles of friends: my high school friends, my university friends, and my friends from work. Whenever I'm going through a tough time, or a good time, I am always reminded how awesome these people are. They will be there to hold me up, or just to be happy for me.
Dream #5 - Having a job I love
As I said before, I dreamed of a variety of career possiblities when I was a child: paleontologist, novelist, journalist, pharmacist, doctor, rock star, teacher, business-type person, and I could go on. However, the commonality was that I always really truly loved whatever it was that I was doing. So even though I may not have ended up with the most glamourous of my many dreams, I do love what I do.
Anyway, those were the big five that came to my mind as I was reading the book. I had lots more dreams too: travelling (I'm doing well on that front) and getting married (it'll happen if it's meant to, I'm sure) come to mind as well.
What were your childhood dreams?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
All in all was a pretty nice day.
I have had quite the productive Sunday, considering I faced a day-filled with a list of doing stuff that I don't so much care for. I cleaned my whole apartment, went to the gym, ran a bunch of errands, and did so work for my online course. The only thing I have not knocked off of my to-do list is some marking, but I figured that blogging while drinking hot chocolate was more important than that.
I had a great Saturday. I met up with my friends Flora and Becca T, and we did some hardcore shopping (I didn't spend too much money either!), then went out for a yummy dinner followed by gelato. There is a gelato place near my apartment that I've passed by millions of times (ironically I pass it usually on my way to the gym), but I've never actually gone to the place. Oh, my goodness. Yum. It was excellent. I think my goal for the summer will be to try every flavour in the place. I guess that means I'll have to go to the gym more often too...
Next weekend is the May long weekend (it's early this year), and after that it means that everyone in my workplace will be thinking of one thing: summer vacay. Quite honestly, I've already been thinking about it, and determining my plans. Trips to Newfoundland and Las Vegas may be on my plate, but I'll give more info when and if they're done deals. I also have one wedding to go to, which will be a mini-roadtrip in itself.
In addition, I'll have my silly online course to finish off in July (think of the money Christielli), and I might have gotten myself into cooking lessons from a friend from work. I don't know about that. If I learn to cook, maybe I'll then have to cook, and I'll have to take down my inspirational saying "Any pot is a no-stick pot if you no-cook in it" from my fridge. I'm not sure about that.
Anyhow, it's almost the start of a new week, but on the bright side, I'm one week closer to summer than I was at this time last week. :D
I had a great Saturday. I met up with my friends Flora and Becca T, and we did some hardcore shopping (I didn't spend too much money either!), then went out for a yummy dinner followed by gelato. There is a gelato place near my apartment that I've passed by millions of times (ironically I pass it usually on my way to the gym), but I've never actually gone to the place. Oh, my goodness. Yum. It was excellent. I think my goal for the summer will be to try every flavour in the place. I guess that means I'll have to go to the gym more often too...
Next weekend is the May long weekend (it's early this year), and after that it means that everyone in my workplace will be thinking of one thing: summer vacay. Quite honestly, I've already been thinking about it, and determining my plans. Trips to Newfoundland and Las Vegas may be on my plate, but I'll give more info when and if they're done deals. I also have one wedding to go to, which will be a mini-roadtrip in itself.
In addition, I'll have my silly online course to finish off in July (think of the money Christielli), and I might have gotten myself into cooking lessons from a friend from work. I don't know about that. If I learn to cook, maybe I'll then have to cook, and I'll have to take down my inspirational saying "Any pot is a no-stick pot if you no-cook in it" from my fridge. I'm not sure about that.
Anyhow, it's almost the start of a new week, but on the bright side, I'm one week closer to summer than I was at this time last week. :D
Friday, May 02, 2008
Compromise, just let it go, it's okay.
Stolen from Claire:
My roommate and I once: I don't have a roommate now, but I have had many in the day, but the first person who usually comes to mind when I read the word roommate is my dear friend Becca T, since we did live together for 5 years. So, anyway, my roommate and I once took the bus to Hamilton to see the Weakerthans play in a sketch bar there on the coldest day in January. Now, the last bus returning to TO would have brought us back too early to actually catch the band, and the first bus back in the morning was at 5 am. So, our plan was to loiter at a Tim Horton's between the concert and the morning bus. Well, it turned out that the Timmy's that was closest to concert actually closed at 1 am, as did everything else in the area. We were totally afraid we were going to freeze to death on the street, but we made a right turn after the concert and found a 24-hour Timmy's and survived the night.
Never in my life have I: been able to finish a Jane Austen book.
High school was: apparently so much fun that I decided to go back. Ha-ha. Not really. I like it better now.
When I am nervous I: talk more or less, depending on the situation.
My hair is: frizzy because of today's weather. Yet stylishly cut, thanks to my new hair-stylist, whom I love.
When I was 5: I was obsessed with dinosaurs.
By this time next year: I'll be closer to thirty. Boo.
I have a hard time understanding: why some people seem to like to be difficult and unreasonable.
You know I like you if: I don't make my patented "I-don't-like-you-face" that I'm known for. I'm not so good at covering up emotions. Apparently, when someone I don't like is talking, I look really bored. My friends can always tell. I feel rude. I hope the people who I don't like don't notice, because I even though I don't like them, I don't want to make them feel bad. And usually it's not that I don't like the person, it's that I only like them in very small doses.
My ideal breakfast is: Cereal. I'm in love with cereal these days.
If you visit my hometown: you'd would say it's pretty and charming.
If you spend the night at my house: you'd be having cereal for breakfast. :)
My favorite blonde is: Becca T's kind of blonde. So I'll say her.
My favorite brunette is: me. Why not?
The animal I would like to see flying is: a pig. Because then maybe a lot of people would have to cough up some stuff. Oh, and it reminds me of the episode of the Simpsons when Mr. Burns says "Smithers, I think I'll donate one million dollars to the orphanage... when pigs fly" and then a pig goes flying by, and Smithers says "should I make the donation?" and Mr. Burns says "no, I'd still rather not." That kills me.
I shouldn’t: procrastinate because it leads to stress.
Last night I: watched a new episode of The Office and 30 Rock. :D
If I could have any car it would be: a hybrid.
I’ve been told I look like: a cousin/friend/etc. of many people. I get it all the time. Apparently I'm a popular style or something.
My roommate and I once: I don't have a roommate now, but I have had many in the day, but the first person who usually comes to mind when I read the word roommate is my dear friend Becca T, since we did live together for 5 years. So, anyway, my roommate and I once took the bus to Hamilton to see the Weakerthans play in a sketch bar there on the coldest day in January. Now, the last bus returning to TO would have brought us back too early to actually catch the band, and the first bus back in the morning was at 5 am. So, our plan was to loiter at a Tim Horton's between the concert and the morning bus. Well, it turned out that the Timmy's that was closest to concert actually closed at 1 am, as did everything else in the area. We were totally afraid we were going to freeze to death on the street, but we made a right turn after the concert and found a 24-hour Timmy's and survived the night.
Never in my life have I: been able to finish a Jane Austen book.
High school was: apparently so much fun that I decided to go back. Ha-ha. Not really. I like it better now.
When I am nervous I: talk more or less, depending on the situation.
My hair is: frizzy because of today's weather. Yet stylishly cut, thanks to my new hair-stylist, whom I love.
When I was 5: I was obsessed with dinosaurs.
By this time next year: I'll be closer to thirty. Boo.
I have a hard time understanding: why some people seem to like to be difficult and unreasonable.
You know I like you if: I don't make my patented "I-don't-like-you-face" that I'm known for. I'm not so good at covering up emotions. Apparently, when someone I don't like is talking, I look really bored. My friends can always tell. I feel rude. I hope the people who I don't like don't notice, because I even though I don't like them, I don't want to make them feel bad. And usually it's not that I don't like the person, it's that I only like them in very small doses.
My ideal breakfast is: Cereal. I'm in love with cereal these days.
If you visit my hometown: you'd would say it's pretty and charming.
If you spend the night at my house: you'd be having cereal for breakfast. :)
My favorite blonde is: Becca T's kind of blonde. So I'll say her.
My favorite brunette is: me. Why not?
The animal I would like to see flying is: a pig. Because then maybe a lot of people would have to cough up some stuff. Oh, and it reminds me of the episode of the Simpsons when Mr. Burns says "Smithers, I think I'll donate one million dollars to the orphanage... when pigs fly" and then a pig goes flying by, and Smithers says "should I make the donation?" and Mr. Burns says "no, I'd still rather not." That kills me.
I shouldn’t: procrastinate because it leads to stress.
Last night I: watched a new episode of The Office and 30 Rock. :D
If I could have any car it would be: a hybrid.
I’ve been told I look like: a cousin/friend/etc. of many people. I get it all the time. Apparently I'm a popular style or something.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Won't sell an apple to a kiwi.
Note: sitting at my computer looking through pictures from random vacations and fun events do not help me get caught up with the pile of marking I keep bringing home and not doing. It's getting worn out. The students are getting crabby at me. I might be building up muscles in my arms from constantly carrying this pile of papers around though.
Yesterday I sneaked away from work a little bit early (shhh). Now I remember *why* I never do anything "bad". My karma is touchy. Since I left a little bit early, I missed the reminder that today was dress down day so I did not turn up to work in jeans, which made me crabby all day. Perhaps my karma is also taking a beating because I'm neglecting my job.
The course that I have now registered in three times, and has been cancelled twice, is set to start on Thursday. I'm hoping that third time is the charm and that it does not get cancelled. It's an online course and I'm taking it for one reason and one reason alone: to get paid more. I can't wait 'til it's over.
All right two blog posts in two days and both have had a negative slant to them, or at least I feel that they have. But really, life is pretty fun. I really enjoy my classes this semester. My period 2 class are rather my favourites. They are a pretty spirited bunch, and they know me and my dorkiness and tend to laugh at my same old jokes. Like every time I make a mistake on the board, I say "I did that to make sure you were paying attention". I apologized for doing that all the time and thanked them for being kind enough for laughing, so now it's required that I say that line when I do make my inevitable mistakes. Anyway, yesterday half of them were away , so I chatted with those who were there about music which was fun. I was quite kind and did not tear apart any of their favourite bands (Simple Plan). But I was impressed that some of them were into Green Day and the White Stripes.
Anyhow, I really should go to bed so I can drag myself early and avoid harrassment by my grade 9s who really want their lab reports back. Maybe I should bring them candy instead. That'll make them happy. Yeah, I rather like that solution. I'm off to buy candy now. Ciao!
Yesterday I sneaked away from work a little bit early (shhh). Now I remember *why* I never do anything "bad". My karma is touchy. Since I left a little bit early, I missed the reminder that today was dress down day so I did not turn up to work in jeans, which made me crabby all day. Perhaps my karma is also taking a beating because I'm neglecting my job.
The course that I have now registered in three times, and has been cancelled twice, is set to start on Thursday. I'm hoping that third time is the charm and that it does not get cancelled. It's an online course and I'm taking it for one reason and one reason alone: to get paid more. I can't wait 'til it's over.
All right two blog posts in two days and both have had a negative slant to them, or at least I feel that they have. But really, life is pretty fun. I really enjoy my classes this semester. My period 2 class are rather my favourites. They are a pretty spirited bunch, and they know me and my dorkiness and tend to laugh at my same old jokes. Like every time I make a mistake on the board, I say "I did that to make sure you were paying attention". I apologized for doing that all the time and thanked them for being kind enough for laughing, so now it's required that I say that line when I do make my inevitable mistakes. Anyway, yesterday half of them were away , so I chatted with those who were there about music which was fun. I was quite kind and did not tear apart any of their favourite bands (Simple Plan). But I was impressed that some of them were into Green Day and the White Stripes.
Anyhow, I really should go to bed so I can drag myself early and avoid harrassment by my grade 9s who really want their lab reports back. Maybe I should bring them candy instead. That'll make them happy. Yeah, I rather like that solution. I'm off to buy candy now. Ciao!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Everybody here comes from somewhere that they would just as soon forget and disguise.
The above line comes from "Supernatural Superserious" from the new REM album. Yeah, it kind of sums up my weekend. I was in a crabby mood for most of it, and was not digging being in the Ratford, and I think I need an extended break from there. Maybe I'll get over it all in a week, but right now I'm slightly irritated that I let some stuff get the better of me this weekend.
It wasn't all bad though. I had a latte on a funky patio in the sun, a yummy dinner, and saw my friend who was an extra in Hamlet (they even made her wear an outift that made her look like Mary Poppins). And, I ended up missing the surprise TTC strike that hit on Friday night at midnight. By the time I was back in town, the subway was up and running again to take me home from the train station.
Now that the craziness of report cards/interviews and the like is over, I thought I'd feel like there wasn't a tonne of stuff on my plate, but alas, it still feels that way. Oh well, there are only 7 more weeks of regular classes. Then maybe my plate will be empty.
Hmmm, maybe my recent malaise is caused by too much caffeine consumption. I should try to get off of that, as well as sugar and preservatives and yucky chemicals. I vow this pretty much every week.
In exciting news, I might begin the summer by joining a friend on a roadtrip to a wedding in Newfoundland. I haven't decided yet, but I really can't see why I wouldn't go...
All right, think I'm going to curl up in bed with a book. Sounds like a plan.
It wasn't all bad though. I had a latte on a funky patio in the sun, a yummy dinner, and saw my friend who was an extra in Hamlet (they even made her wear an outift that made her look like Mary Poppins). And, I ended up missing the surprise TTC strike that hit on Friday night at midnight. By the time I was back in town, the subway was up and running again to take me home from the train station.
Now that the craziness of report cards/interviews and the like is over, I thought I'd feel like there wasn't a tonne of stuff on my plate, but alas, it still feels that way. Oh well, there are only 7 more weeks of regular classes. Then maybe my plate will be empty.
Hmmm, maybe my recent malaise is caused by too much caffeine consumption. I should try to get off of that, as well as sugar and preservatives and yucky chemicals. I vow this pretty much every week.
In exciting news, I might begin the summer by joining a friend on a roadtrip to a wedding in Newfoundland. I haven't decided yet, but I really can't see why I wouldn't go...
All right, think I'm going to curl up in bed with a book. Sounds like a plan.
Monday, April 21, 2008
I went to the country to escape the noise and lights.
Firstly, happy Earth Day tomorrow everyone! Hug a tree! ;) I'm taking some kids to plant a garden, and I'm looking forward to their reactions when they find out it will involve working with manure. They're such city slickers. Heck, I grew up in a far more rural environment, and when I was a teenager, I would have been all "ewwwwww" too, so I can't judge too much. But I can laugh.
The other way I'm going to celebrate Earth Day is by wearing my new green high top Chucks that I bought at the Converse outlet in Austin. Fun!
Yah, so I survived last week's busy busy week at work, and this week is pretty busy too, but we do have a PD day on Friday, which means no planning for me at least.
Hmmmm, what else is new... Oh, I got quite a bit of my hair cut off on Saturday. And, I went to a new salon that Becca T recommended to me, and I really liked it. Have I finally found a permanent hair place in Toronto after all these years? I think so.
The weather has been fabulous lately! I'm talking evening beers on patios, T-shirt weather, and frappucinos in the park. I love it.
I just made plans to spend the coming weekend in St. Ratford. I scored $10 to Hamlet. I have a friend who is involved with this production, hence the incentive to see it (and the fact that it's so cheap).
I had about 4 or so good blog posts going on in my head earlier in the week, but now that I've had a chance to sit down at the computer, they've all left my head. Perhaps another day they'll come to me...
The other way I'm going to celebrate Earth Day is by wearing my new green high top Chucks that I bought at the Converse outlet in Austin. Fun!
Yah, so I survived last week's busy busy week at work, and this week is pretty busy too, but we do have a PD day on Friday, which means no planning for me at least.
Hmmmm, what else is new... Oh, I got quite a bit of my hair cut off on Saturday. And, I went to a new salon that Becca T recommended to me, and I really liked it. Have I finally found a permanent hair place in Toronto after all these years? I think so.
The weather has been fabulous lately! I'm talking evening beers on patios, T-shirt weather, and frappucinos in the park. I love it.
I just made plans to spend the coming weekend in St. Ratford. I scored $10 to Hamlet. I have a friend who is involved with this production, hence the incentive to see it (and the fact that it's so cheap).
I had about 4 or so good blog posts going on in my head earlier in the week, but now that I've had a chance to sit down at the computer, they've all left my head. Perhaps another day they'll come to me...
Monday, April 14, 2008
It's like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can't read just yet.
A bunch of randomness on this sunny Monday that has the unfortunate misfortune (okay, maybe that was redundant but I'm leaving it) of being the start of a yucky week because I am very behind at work, and I have some deadlines coming up. Hence the blogging. Great procrastination tool.
1) Yesterday I was really crabby. It could have been due to a number of reasons, such as the looming hell of this upcoming week; buyer's remorse after I purchased a something very extravagant whilst shopping in Buffalo (I won't say what it is so that I can cover up how shallow I really am); the fact that everyone in my book club, except for the ever faithful Becca T, canceled on Sunday's meeting *after* I woke up early and went grocery shopping and cleaned my apartment; the fact that last week's cold is still lingering; or the fact that I did not have any caffeine. After a bit of thought, I realized that it was most likely the caffeine issue, and I went for a latte post haste and cheered up. I can't believe that I've gotten this addicted to caffeine. I used to just be a social drinker of coffee beverages, but now I have to have two a day, or else I'm a bit emotionally unstable. Goodness.
2) I love the new Death Cab for Cutie song "I Will Possess Your Heart". Emolicious I declare. I'm really looking forward to their new album.
3) Guilty pleasure = "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis. Shhh.
4) I bought tickets to a top secret event for Becca T's 30th bday in June. I'm pretty sure she never reads my blog, so I'm safe talk about it here. But, just in case, I've cleverly hidden what it is in this sentence, so the rest of you can figure it out, but she will remain in the dark, if she reads this, which she won't.
5) I just discovered that eating a cinnamon Altoid whilst drinking hot chocolate is extremely tasty. It reminds me of the taste of a Hagan Daas flavour of ice cream called Mayan Chocolate or something. I've only had that ice cream once, but decided that would be it, because I could get extremely addicted to it, since I do have an addictive personality, I think.
6) Whoa that sentence about about ice cream was extremely run-on. I would totally take marks off if I was an English teacher. But I'm leaving it.
7) When I go shopping in the US with friends, we will always eat at a chain restaurant that we don't have here like Chili's, or the Olive Garden (at least we don't have those in Ontario anymore). This weekend it was TGIFriday's, and I got one of their massive margaritas, which was tasty and rendered this lightweight a little bit tipsy. I totally entertained my friend when we went to a grocery store afterwards to stock up on junk food that we don't have here. I ended up buying chocolate-covered Altoids, which further strengthens my hypothesis that I do sometimes make some pretty good decisions under the influence of alcohol.
8) Oh look, since I just spent the past 30 minutes blogging and facebook-ing, it's time for bed and I don't have time to work on report card comments, and marking, etc. What a shame.
1) Yesterday I was really crabby. It could have been due to a number of reasons, such as the looming hell of this upcoming week; buyer's remorse after I purchased a something very extravagant whilst shopping in Buffalo (I won't say what it is so that I can cover up how shallow I really am); the fact that everyone in my book club, except for the ever faithful Becca T, canceled on Sunday's meeting *after* I woke up early and went grocery shopping and cleaned my apartment; the fact that last week's cold is still lingering; or the fact that I did not have any caffeine. After a bit of thought, I realized that it was most likely the caffeine issue, and I went for a latte post haste and cheered up. I can't believe that I've gotten this addicted to caffeine. I used to just be a social drinker of coffee beverages, but now I have to have two a day, or else I'm a bit emotionally unstable. Goodness.
2) I love the new Death Cab for Cutie song "I Will Possess Your Heart". Emolicious I declare. I'm really looking forward to their new album.
3) Guilty pleasure = "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis. Shhh.
4) I bought tickets to a top secret event for Becca T's 30th bday in June. I'm pretty sure she never reads my blog, so I'm safe talk about it here. But, just in case, I've cleverly hidden what it is in this sentence, so the rest of you can figure it out, but she will remain in the dark, if she reads this, which she won't.
5) I just discovered that eating a cinnamon Altoid whilst drinking hot chocolate is extremely tasty. It reminds me of the taste of a Hagan Daas flavour of ice cream called Mayan Chocolate or something. I've only had that ice cream once, but decided that would be it, because I could get extremely addicted to it, since I do have an addictive personality, I think.
6) Whoa that sentence about about ice cream was extremely run-on. I would totally take marks off if I was an English teacher. But I'm leaving it.
7) When I go shopping in the US with friends, we will always eat at a chain restaurant that we don't have here like Chili's, or the Olive Garden (at least we don't have those in Ontario anymore). This weekend it was TGIFriday's, and I got one of their massive margaritas, which was tasty and rendered this lightweight a little bit tipsy. I totally entertained my friend when we went to a grocery store afterwards to stock up on junk food that we don't have here. I ended up buying chocolate-covered Altoids, which further strengthens my hypothesis that I do sometimes make some pretty good decisions under the influence of alcohol.
8) Oh look, since I just spent the past 30 minutes blogging and facebook-ing, it's time for bed and I don't have time to work on report card comments, and marking, etc. What a shame.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Foux Da Fa Fa
The Office tonight was so hilarious. Yay for new TV finally!! 30 Rock was also awesome.
I'm getting over my yucky beginning-of-spring cold. I would have totally taken a sick day, but I had too many commitments in the way. I had my staff book club meeting this week, and after buying and reading the book, there was no way that I was going to miss that.
The song "Foux Da Fa Fa" from Flight of the Conchords is constantly in my head. Constantly.
Today I had a couple of students who were so sweet they made me get a little bit teary. Those little incidents make it all totally worthwhile.
This weekend I'm going shopping in Buffalo with a friend on Saturday. On Sunday, I'm hosting my uni-friends book club meeting (100 pages left to read of that book). This means that I'm going to spend a wicked-ass Friday night of: a) doing laundry; b) cleaning my apartment; and c) food shopping for Sunday. Hopefully I'll also be able to go to bed at an appropriately lamely early time so that I can be rested for some power cross-border shopping on Saturday. I'm glad that any significantly deep moments that I have in life can be totally countered by the vapid-ness of a day of shopping.
Some of my friends at work and I meet up every Friday for lunch at various locations in the school. This Friday tradition was in danger of dying out a couple of weeks ago, so I brought it upon myself to make a schedule for our lunches for the rest of the school year. Due to this activity, I now know that only 10 more Fridays remain until exam time.
Wowsers.
I'm getting over my yucky beginning-of-spring cold. I would have totally taken a sick day, but I had too many commitments in the way. I had my staff book club meeting this week, and after buying and reading the book, there was no way that I was going to miss that.
The song "Foux Da Fa Fa" from Flight of the Conchords is constantly in my head. Constantly.
Today I had a couple of students who were so sweet they made me get a little bit teary. Those little incidents make it all totally worthwhile.
This weekend I'm going shopping in Buffalo with a friend on Saturday. On Sunday, I'm hosting my uni-friends book club meeting (100 pages left to read of that book). This means that I'm going to spend a wicked-ass Friday night of: a) doing laundry; b) cleaning my apartment; and c) food shopping for Sunday. Hopefully I'll also be able to go to bed at an appropriately lamely early time so that I can be rested for some power cross-border shopping on Saturday. I'm glad that any significantly deep moments that I have in life can be totally countered by the vapid-ness of a day of shopping.
Some of my friends at work and I meet up every Friday for lunch at various locations in the school. This Friday tradition was in danger of dying out a couple of weeks ago, so I brought it upon myself to make a schedule for our lunches for the rest of the school year. Due to this activity, I now know that only 10 more Fridays remain until exam time.
Wowsers.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
But I would love it if you were here.
I've been complaining on here about the late arrival of spring *forever* on here. Well, now it's here, and I've been felled this weekend by a scratchy throat which has kind of made me want to hibernate inside of my apartment. However, I able to motivate myself to go outside this weekend by allowing myself to shop and do some updating of the spring wardrobe. So I did get some much needed sunshine and fresh air and vitamin D, but it did cost me. However, I'll be looking fabulous for the next couple of days!
The warm-ish (13 degrees Celsius) sunny weather didn't hit until yesterday though. I did have a fun dreary Friday, before the scratchy throat hit. I left work pronto with my work spouse (I should do a work spouse post one day explaining this concept), and we went out for Dim Sum. Then, I met up with my BFF Becca T and we had a great girls' night. After nixing Leatherheads due to meh reviews, we went to an enjoyable chick flick called Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. Then we hung out at my apartment drinking beer and watching Flight of the Conchords and gossiping. I love a good girls' night.
In concert news, I'm booked to see Rilo Kiley in May with my friend Mathew. It's the day before the Matt Good concert, so that's two shows in two days. (Still nowhere close to the record 4 days of shows that I set during SXSW.) Yay!
Today's sunny weather made me want to listen to one of my all-time favourite albums: "You Were Here" by Sarah Harmer. Snowy weather also makes me want to listen to that album too. It's pretty all-purpose due to its brilliance.
I think my current mood these days is impatience. I was impatient for spring, and now that it seems to be here, I'm impatient for my scratchy throat to go away. I'm impatient for it to be the weekend again. I'm impatient for a lot of things these days. Not living in the moment is a fault of mine. I have to work on enjoying the here and now, instead of always looking to the future. I'm impatient for myself to get better at this skill.
I have the Juno awards (Cdn music awards) on the background. I used to get really excited for the Junos, since I'd see so many Cdn artists that I love. I'm still seeing quite a few being interviewed on the red carpet right now. I just saw poor Joel Plaskett being interviewed by Ben Mulroney. That Ben Mulroney is the most annoying human being on the planet, I do believe. Gah. Anyway, I don't get so excited for the Junos anymore; it's too hyped up now and they keep nominating artists who've been around forever as "Best New Artist". Egads. And indie bands don't get enough love. They get some, but less Avril, more indie would make me happy. But, it's still miles better than the Grammies and will be good background for an evening of catching up on marking on my couch. *sigh* The Sunday night blues hit me like clockwork.
The warm-ish (13 degrees Celsius) sunny weather didn't hit until yesterday though. I did have a fun dreary Friday, before the scratchy throat hit. I left work pronto with my work spouse (I should do a work spouse post one day explaining this concept), and we went out for Dim Sum. Then, I met up with my BFF Becca T and we had a great girls' night. After nixing Leatherheads due to meh reviews, we went to an enjoyable chick flick called Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. Then we hung out at my apartment drinking beer and watching Flight of the Conchords and gossiping. I love a good girls' night.
In concert news, I'm booked to see Rilo Kiley in May with my friend Mathew. It's the day before the Matt Good concert, so that's two shows in two days. (Still nowhere close to the record 4 days of shows that I set during SXSW.) Yay!
Today's sunny weather made me want to listen to one of my all-time favourite albums: "You Were Here" by Sarah Harmer. Snowy weather also makes me want to listen to that album too. It's pretty all-purpose due to its brilliance.
I think my current mood these days is impatience. I was impatient for spring, and now that it seems to be here, I'm impatient for my scratchy throat to go away. I'm impatient for it to be the weekend again. I'm impatient for a lot of things these days. Not living in the moment is a fault of mine. I have to work on enjoying the here and now, instead of always looking to the future. I'm impatient for myself to get better at this skill.
I have the Juno awards (Cdn music awards) on the background. I used to get really excited for the Junos, since I'd see so many Cdn artists that I love. I'm still seeing quite a few being interviewed on the red carpet right now. I just saw poor Joel Plaskett being interviewed by Ben Mulroney. That Ben Mulroney is the most annoying human being on the planet, I do believe. Gah. Anyway, I don't get so excited for the Junos anymore; it's too hyped up now and they keep nominating artists who've been around forever as "Best New Artist". Egads. And indie bands don't get enough love. They get some, but less Avril, more indie would make me happy. But, it's still miles better than the Grammies and will be good background for an evening of catching up on marking on my couch. *sigh* The Sunday night blues hit me like clockwork.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Kick it out on the dancefloor like you just don't care.
Random list post today.
1) I love love love the new R.E.M. album. Would I love it even if it didn't bring back awesome seeing-them-live-at-SXSW memories? Yes.
2) I am the queen of weird quirks. Today I admitted that one weird thing I do is that when I'm buying milk and I check the expiry date, I think about what will be going on in my life when the milk expires (although I always finish it before then).
3) I am so addicted to caffeine these days. I need to stop but... it feels so good.
4) I am also addicted to hot chocolate. I honestly have three cups a day. Hoping warm weather, if it ever comes, helps me with both of these addictions. However, I feel that new addictions (frappucinos and ice cream) will take place of these.
5) One more week until a new Office episode!
6) Time is weird. It goes so fast sometimes, like during the weekend when you want to last, but very slowly during a long week, or when you're waiting for a concert, or when you miss someone, or when it's Friday's last class. Can't it quit being less difficult and reverse itself?
7) Low key weekend planned. Might go see Leatherheads with Becca T, although a quick check of the tomatometer only gives it 53% and we decided only to see it if it was certified fresh. Other than that, I'm going to catch up on work, and clean my apartment, and read my book for next weekend's book club meeting.
8) Yesterday, I had a really really deep thought as I was almost home, just approaching my apartment building. I now forget this revelation and it's bothering me. Too bad I couldn't remember it, because it might improve this post, which I think I'm going to end now, because I feel the urge to curl up in bed with a book and *another* hot chocolate and fall asleep insanely early.
1) I love love love the new R.E.M. album. Would I love it even if it didn't bring back awesome seeing-them-live-at-SXSW memories? Yes.
2) I am the queen of weird quirks. Today I admitted that one weird thing I do is that when I'm buying milk and I check the expiry date, I think about what will be going on in my life when the milk expires (although I always finish it before then).
3) I am so addicted to caffeine these days. I need to stop but... it feels so good.
4) I am also addicted to hot chocolate. I honestly have three cups a day. Hoping warm weather, if it ever comes, helps me with both of these addictions. However, I feel that new addictions (frappucinos and ice cream) will take place of these.
5) One more week until a new Office episode!
6) Time is weird. It goes so fast sometimes, like during the weekend when you want to last, but very slowly during a long week, or when you're waiting for a concert, or when you miss someone, or when it's Friday's last class. Can't it quit being less difficult and reverse itself?
7) Low key weekend planned. Might go see Leatherheads with Becca T, although a quick check of the tomatometer only gives it 53% and we decided only to see it if it was certified fresh. Other than that, I'm going to catch up on work, and clean my apartment, and read my book for next weekend's book club meeting.
8) Yesterday, I had a really really deep thought as I was almost home, just approaching my apartment building. I now forget this revelation and it's bothering me. Too bad I couldn't remember it, because it might improve this post, which I think I'm going to end now, because I feel the urge to curl up in bed with a book and *another* hot chocolate and fall asleep insanely early.
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