The highlight of my past week was that I had an A++ Saturday night.
I met up with my friend Elisa at the INSANELY BUSY AND PACKED Eaton Centre and we headed over to the INSANELY BUSY AND PACKED Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square. I want to go not so much for the light, but because Sloan was playing a post-fireworks show.
The fireworks show was pretty great. I have seen a lot of fireworks in 2015: I saw Fourth of July fireworks at Comerica Park in Detroit during our baseball roadtrip, about four sets of fireworks during the Pan-Am games, and most randomly, the people whose backyard faces the back of my building had a November fireworks show a couple of weekends ago. I was chilling with Rilo, and we enjoying the 30 minutes of backyard fireworks on a November night. Why? I really don't know. But they were fun.
Anyway, Saturday night's fireworks were up there with the Fourth of July fireworks in quality. After they were done, a lot of the crowd cleared out and we were able to get near the performance stage for Sloan. They put on a really fun show. I think it's the first time I've seen an outdoors wintertime Sloan performance, so I can check that off my list. I really don't know how many times I've seen Sloan in my life, but thirty would be a reasonable estimate.
The show ended before 10 pm, so we headed to Queen St. for record shopping followed by drinks and nachos. It was really fun; I haven't stayed out very late in awhile. (Well, not since Nuit Blanche and CHVRCHES in October... so maybe I'm not as lame as I think? I dunno, how many late nights are you guys pulling these days? What's acceptable?) I like staying out late!
Sunday was a day of hibernation and Nashville-watching.
Today was pretty swell for a Monday. I escaped school with my grade ten class to go to the Science Centre for a day of learning, fun, and relaxation. It was followed by a really long student council meeting, a longer-than-usual commute home, and me spending waaaaaaay too long writing a biology quiz, but it made for a nicer-than-usual Monday. Field trips for life!
This week should be quiet but I really gotta get the Christmas shopping going. I already have my first party on December 5th. Tis the season!
Monday, November 30, 2015
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Things I Did This Weekend
1) Went out for drinks on Friday after school with colleagues. Came home and went to bed. I'm officially old.
2) Saturday was super shopping day. I had to exchange a necklace that I'd bought about a month ago at Swarovski because a couple of stones had fallen out. So I did that, then got talked into buying the matching earrings.
After that, I browsed a shoe store and splurge on Blundstones. I'd been wanting them for awhile and really like mine. They have stripey elastics.
Mathew and I had plans to hang out for the first time since baseball season ended. We ended up heading to Yorkdale, where I bought a new ring and a blingy toque with a pom-pom. We also had dinner in the food court and watched highlights from the seventh inning of ALDS game five on his phone. I think we're both still in withdrawal.
3) Today I watched a lot of Nashville on Netflix. It's a super fun show to binge watch because you do not need to pay that much attention to a musical soap opera. If I fall asleep for a bit, I can still figure out what's going on. In between episodes I went for a coffee run, got groceries, and wrote a test. So I think I managed to have a day that mixed the productive and unproductive.
2) Saturday was super shopping day. I had to exchange a necklace that I'd bought about a month ago at Swarovski because a couple of stones had fallen out. So I did that, then got talked into buying the matching earrings.
After that, I browsed a shoe store and splurge on Blundstones. I'd been wanting them for awhile and really like mine. They have stripey elastics.
Mathew and I had plans to hang out for the first time since baseball season ended. We ended up heading to Yorkdale, where I bought a new ring and a blingy toque with a pom-pom. We also had dinner in the food court and watched highlights from the seventh inning of ALDS game five on his phone. I think we're both still in withdrawal.
3) Today I watched a lot of Nashville on Netflix. It's a super fun show to binge watch because you do not need to pay that much attention to a musical soap opera. If I fall asleep for a bit, I can still figure out what's going on. In between episodes I went for a coffee run, got groceries, and wrote a test. So I think I managed to have a day that mixed the productive and unproductive.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Belly laughs.
I could really use a good belly laugh over something ludicrous that happens in real life.
The last time I remember one is when I took a class on a field trip in September, and the kids had to wear hip waders to collect bugs from the river. One kid put his on backwards and got stuck in them. I have a photo of the facilitator patiently pulling him out of his waterproof pants. It's hilarious.
The last time I remember one is when I took a class on a field trip in September, and the kids had to wear hip waders to collect bugs from the river. One kid put his on backwards and got stuck in them. I have a photo of the facilitator patiently pulling him out of his waterproof pants. It's hilarious.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
I'm sure the darkness defines where the light is.
Oh, Paris.
I've probably been spending more time than is good for my mental health following Friday's attacks on Paris.
Some tragedies pack more of a punch on one's psyche for a myriad of reasons. This one has really haunted me because it took place in my favourite foreign city. I've visited Paris four times, and its streets, sights, smells, and sounds are ingrained in me.
The second reason that these tragedies are haunting me is that they affected innocent people doing things that I love to do: going to sports events, eating at cafes, and going to rock shows.
To think of people being targeted at events like these in a familiar city chills the fuck out of me. I actually had a nightmare about violence at a concert the night after the attacks (I should have probably watched less coverage). I actually went to a concert last night, and I felt so weird doing something that other people were killed doing the night before.
I've been reading a lot, and just not about Paris. The day before there was a similar attack on innocent civilians in Beirut. There was little coverage, and no global outpouring of grief. Innocent people were doing every day things like going to the market, and lost their lives but it doesn't get the same coverage in the Western media because they look differently than we do, worship differently, and live in a part of the world where we assume that violent attacks are an every day thing. We can so easily push that attack out of our minds.
I feel like absolute shit that Beirut has been ignored and what it means about humans. And I am guilty of selective grief. I think we live in a time where we are recognizing (and even fixing) so many of our failings. There are valuable discussions going on about sexism, rape culture, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, body shaming, and so many other dangerous thought patterns that have hurt and oppressed many. At the same time, there's a huge divide in how we react to tragedies that happen far away from us to people who are different than us.
We can do better. Violence and hatred are definitely not the answers.
This Mr. Rogers quote has made me feel a bit better:
I've probably been spending more time than is good for my mental health following Friday's attacks on Paris.
Some tragedies pack more of a punch on one's psyche for a myriad of reasons. This one has really haunted me because it took place in my favourite foreign city. I've visited Paris four times, and its streets, sights, smells, and sounds are ingrained in me.
The second reason that these tragedies are haunting me is that they affected innocent people doing things that I love to do: going to sports events, eating at cafes, and going to rock shows.
To think of people being targeted at events like these in a familiar city chills the fuck out of me. I actually had a nightmare about violence at a concert the night after the attacks (I should have probably watched less coverage). I actually went to a concert last night, and I felt so weird doing something that other people were killed doing the night before.
I've been reading a lot, and just not about Paris. The day before there was a similar attack on innocent civilians in Beirut. There was little coverage, and no global outpouring of grief. Innocent people were doing every day things like going to the market, and lost their lives but it doesn't get the same coverage in the Western media because they look differently than we do, worship differently, and live in a part of the world where we assume that violent attacks are an every day thing. We can so easily push that attack out of our minds.
I feel like absolute shit that Beirut has been ignored and what it means about humans. And I am guilty of selective grief. I think we live in a time where we are recognizing (and even fixing) so many of our failings. There are valuable discussions going on about sexism, rape culture, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, body shaming, and so many other dangerous thought patterns that have hurt and oppressed many. At the same time, there's a huge divide in how we react to tragedies that happen far away from us to people who are different than us.
We can do better. Violence and hatred are definitely not the answers.
This Mr. Rogers quote has made me feel a bit better:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
We need love, light, and understanding for all people, no matter where they live, how they look, or who they worship. I think understanding and helping will cure some of the world's evils far better than bombs or hate.
Sunday, November 08, 2015
The Weeknd and etc.
It's been awhile, hey there, blogarinos.
Last week was pretty standard. Busy busy at school, Friday night drinks after school, etc.
However, I felt pretty badass staying out late on Tuesday night! And for benevolent reasons too!
Our school is partnered with an organization that aims to connect students with arts, culture, and sports. They are able to get free tickets to a lot of events in the city and pass it on to students/ My colleague who is in contact with this organization is often looking for teachers to chaperone students to some of the these events. We can often get executive suites at the ACC for shows, but they must have an adult in attedence.
Anyway, he put out an email saying that a student who had done some volunteer work in the community had gotten tickets to see The Weeknd, but needed a chaperone. I figured that hey, if a friend had told me they had free tickets to that show, I'd say why not and go, so why not go with some kids?
Other than the student requesting tickets and her brother, I assembled some students together and we went to the show. It was a great time. Now, I know that The Weeknd's lyrics are not the most progressive, but I shut off my critical brain for a moment to enjoy the fact that the kids were having a great time at an even that they really wanted to be at. I don't think most of them would have ever been able to afford the show, so it was a great thing to be able to do my part to make it happen.
***
It's still only November, but I can feel the year waning. I'm still trying to kick this plague from Halloween, and I'm convinced that it's been holding on to me tightly because I haven't been taking very good care of myself this year.
I've not been making enough time or effort to eat properly and exercise. I use the business of work as an excuse, and the fact that I've been teaching the senior level biology courses that require more preparation from me as an excuse.
I need to get the fuck out of this slump. I feel like crap. I have low energy, and I'm just not feeling like myself. I don't get as excited for things as I used to.
I made the mistake of not traveling enough this summer. My rationale is that I would save money and use the extra time to take better care of myself. However, I spent more time watching TV than anything, which really isn't me.
I find myself sneaking out of making social plans to stay at home. I use excuses like marking, cleaning, etc. but I tend to spend more time procrastinating than anything else.
I'm becoming my own enemy and I hate it. I'm in a slump, and I'm doing it the way I do most things, with 100% effort. I'm slumping big time.
I need to get through this week. Report cards are due on Thursday. After that deadline, I need to prioritize getting the fuck out of this slump. I have some fun plans for next weekend: a concert and brunch with friends out of town. This is good because I won't worm my way out of those things.
I will keep you updated on Operation Unslump. It's on after report cards. I'm not waiting until 2016 to start pulling myself out of this mire.
Okay, vent over.
***
Also, now that baseball is completely over, I am sadly realizing that it was my ultimate escape from reality. I could slump away, but it didn't really feel like a slump because I always had games to look forward to. It forced me to get out and socialize.
I guess my resolution for next baseball season is to go hard, but not to use it so much as an escape from real life. Like 50% less escapism.
Last week was pretty standard. Busy busy at school, Friday night drinks after school, etc.
However, I felt pretty badass staying out late on Tuesday night! And for benevolent reasons too!
Our school is partnered with an organization that aims to connect students with arts, culture, and sports. They are able to get free tickets to a lot of events in the city and pass it on to students/ My colleague who is in contact with this organization is often looking for teachers to chaperone students to some of the these events. We can often get executive suites at the ACC for shows, but they must have an adult in attedence.
Anyway, he put out an email saying that a student who had done some volunteer work in the community had gotten tickets to see The Weeknd, but needed a chaperone. I figured that hey, if a friend had told me they had free tickets to that show, I'd say why not and go, so why not go with some kids?
Other than the student requesting tickets and her brother, I assembled some students together and we went to the show. It was a great time. Now, I know that The Weeknd's lyrics are not the most progressive, but I shut off my critical brain for a moment to enjoy the fact that the kids were having a great time at an even that they really wanted to be at. I don't think most of them would have ever been able to afford the show, so it was a great thing to be able to do my part to make it happen.
***
It's still only November, but I can feel the year waning. I'm still trying to kick this plague from Halloween, and I'm convinced that it's been holding on to me tightly because I haven't been taking very good care of myself this year.
I've not been making enough time or effort to eat properly and exercise. I use the business of work as an excuse, and the fact that I've been teaching the senior level biology courses that require more preparation from me as an excuse.
I need to get the fuck out of this slump. I feel like crap. I have low energy, and I'm just not feeling like myself. I don't get as excited for things as I used to.
I made the mistake of not traveling enough this summer. My rationale is that I would save money and use the extra time to take better care of myself. However, I spent more time watching TV than anything, which really isn't me.
I find myself sneaking out of making social plans to stay at home. I use excuses like marking, cleaning, etc. but I tend to spend more time procrastinating than anything else.
I'm becoming my own enemy and I hate it. I'm in a slump, and I'm doing it the way I do most things, with 100% effort. I'm slumping big time.
I need to get through this week. Report cards are due on Thursday. After that deadline, I need to prioritize getting the fuck out of this slump. I have some fun plans for next weekend: a concert and brunch with friends out of town. This is good because I won't worm my way out of those things.
I will keep you updated on Operation Unslump. It's on after report cards. I'm not waiting until 2016 to start pulling myself out of this mire.
Okay, vent over.
***
Also, now that baseball is completely over, I am sadly realizing that it was my ultimate escape from reality. I could slump away, but it didn't really feel like a slump because I always had games to look forward to. It forced me to get out and socialize.
I guess my resolution for next baseball season is to go hard, but not to use it so much as an escape from real life. Like 50% less escapism.
Sunday, November 01, 2015
Halloween Plague
Something's been going around my school. It's been hitting other colleagues hard, but I think I was lucky enough to only get a mild version of it.
I felt awful on Friday, and if nothing had been going on, I would have called in sick but because of some school events and a test I had planned, I wanted to be there. I didn't have the energy to dress up on Friday. I put on a tshirt with skulls on it and called it a day.
I think I've slept off the plague this weekend. I managed to go out to see a movie last night but that was the extent of my celebrations.
And now that I'm feeling better it's time for more work. :/
I felt awful on Friday, and if nothing had been going on, I would have called in sick but because of some school events and a test I had planned, I wanted to be there. I didn't have the energy to dress up on Friday. I put on a tshirt with skulls on it and called it a day.
I think I've slept off the plague this weekend. I managed to go out to see a movie last night but that was the extent of my celebrations.
And now that I'm feeling better it's time for more work. :/
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
What a season.
Sadly, the Jays' division-winning 2015 season came to an end in Kansas City on Friday.
I ended up watching the game at the house of friends that I hadn't seen in awhile. Even though the outcome wasn't what we wanted, it was still fun to cheer for Jose Bautista's two home runs, and somehow hope that we'd be able to push a game seven.
During the game, I spent time texting baseball friends from near and far. I think the best part of a winning baseball season is that it brings people together. I really loved how the city of Toronto came together during the playoff run. From the "Go Jays Go" signs at the front of TTC buses, to random conversations from fellow fans in grocery stores and elevators, it's been very fun.
I really loved this Blue Jays team. I love that Joey Bats is a leader who is outspoken, who will flip his bat and speak out in support of his teammates and against injustice. I love Josh Donaldson's (MVP! MVP!) intensity. Who could have imagined that Marcus Stroman would be back to pitch for the playoffs after his supposedly season-ending injury. And who could not love 20-year old Osuna's rise from poverty to being the youngest closer in baseball (and one with nerves of steel)?
I had to have a good cry when I got home on Friday, and I know that I wasn't the only one. After a season so big, and so exciting, I just had to release it all. I went to 18 home games, 1 away game, 5 playoff games, and probably watched the majority of the rest on TV. I invested a lot of time, but I'm glad I did. I saw a lot of great baseball.
I'm looking forward to 2016. The core team will stay in place, and I'm sure we can fill in those gaps and hopefully hold onto Estrada and Price. It'll be fun hearing about any roster moves, and choosing this year's 15 games on our flex pack. And I can't wait to find out who will be the 2016 bobbleheads! (My money is on Donaldson, Tulo, and Price if he sticks around. Although I'd really love a Kevin Pillar bobblehead.)
Until then, I've got the World Series and all I have to say about that is Go Mets Go! It's s tie game right now. Those damned Royals are relentless.
I ended up watching the game at the house of friends that I hadn't seen in awhile. Even though the outcome wasn't what we wanted, it was still fun to cheer for Jose Bautista's two home runs, and somehow hope that we'd be able to push a game seven.
During the game, I spent time texting baseball friends from near and far. I think the best part of a winning baseball season is that it brings people together. I really loved how the city of Toronto came together during the playoff run. From the "Go Jays Go" signs at the front of TTC buses, to random conversations from fellow fans in grocery stores and elevators, it's been very fun.
I really loved this Blue Jays team. I love that Joey Bats is a leader who is outspoken, who will flip his bat and speak out in support of his teammates and against injustice. I love Josh Donaldson's (MVP! MVP!) intensity. Who could have imagined that Marcus Stroman would be back to pitch for the playoffs after his supposedly season-ending injury. And who could not love 20-year old Osuna's rise from poverty to being the youngest closer in baseball (and one with nerves of steel)?
I had to have a good cry when I got home on Friday, and I know that I wasn't the only one. After a season so big, and so exciting, I just had to release it all. I went to 18 home games, 1 away game, 5 playoff games, and probably watched the majority of the rest on TV. I invested a lot of time, but I'm glad I did. I saw a lot of great baseball.
I'm looking forward to 2016. The core team will stay in place, and I'm sure we can fill in those gaps and hopefully hold onto Estrada and Price. It'll be fun hearing about any roster moves, and choosing this year's 15 games on our flex pack. And I can't wait to find out who will be the 2016 bobbleheads! (My money is on Donaldson, Tulo, and Price if he sticks around. Although I'd really love a Kevin Pillar bobblehead.)
Until then, I've got the World Series and all I have to say about that is Go Mets Go! It's s tie game right now. Those damned Royals are relentless.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Hooked on a feeling.
ALCS update: Jays two games in KC. Jays play on Monday, I'm there, they win.
I was quite sure that going to three playoff games during the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) while meeting the demands of work could possibly drive me to to exhaustion. My friend Vern really wanted to go to an ALCS game, so I decided that I would sell her my Tuesday ticket, and just watch the game from the comfort of my couch.
I actually was really happy to avoid the crowds, and watch a game on TV. I mean, it's super fun going in person and I love the energy and being there, but I guess going to ALL of the playoff games is a little much for me. My best baseball buddy Mathew mocked me for being weak and not going to ALL of the games like he has, but I was pretty happy with my choice.
The game I missed was a complete disaster. 14 - 2 for KC. It's kind of bittersweet that I sold the ticket for that game; I felt kind of awful sending my friend Vern to such a fiasco, but really happy that I missed it.
After watching that game on TV, I really hoped that the Blue Jays could take just one more game at home. After experiencing home game losses during the ALDS, I didn't want to walk out of the final game of the 2015 post season all sad with 50 000 other despondent fans. I felt that KC was outplaying the Jays, and I just wanted one last win at home and that would be the season.
I got my wish on Wednesday! The Jays won 7-1! However, their performance was so strong, and so convincing that I forgot all about my "just one more home win" wish and now I'm craving the World Series here in Toronto. The fun thing about going to so many playoff games is that more or less the same people sit around us, and we're getting to recognize each other. We said goodnight by saying "see you at the World Series!" and now I really want that bad.
If Wednesday's team shows up in KC for games 6 and 7, I think it will happen. They were great. To quote Drake (who is used constantly as Jays walk-on music), the 2015 Blue Jays have got a "World Series" attitude. I think they can get there.
I was quite sure that going to three playoff games during the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) while meeting the demands of work could possibly drive me to to exhaustion. My friend Vern really wanted to go to an ALCS game, so I decided that I would sell her my Tuesday ticket, and just watch the game from the comfort of my couch.
I actually was really happy to avoid the crowds, and watch a game on TV. I mean, it's super fun going in person and I love the energy and being there, but I guess going to ALL of the playoff games is a little much for me. My best baseball buddy Mathew mocked me for being weak and not going to ALL of the games like he has, but I was pretty happy with my choice.
The game I missed was a complete disaster. 14 - 2 for KC. It's kind of bittersweet that I sold the ticket for that game; I felt kind of awful sending my friend Vern to such a fiasco, but really happy that I missed it.
After watching that game on TV, I really hoped that the Blue Jays could take just one more game at home. After experiencing home game losses during the ALDS, I didn't want to walk out of the final game of the 2015 post season all sad with 50 000 other despondent fans. I felt that KC was outplaying the Jays, and I just wanted one last win at home and that would be the season.
I got my wish on Wednesday! The Jays won 7-1! However, their performance was so strong, and so convincing that I forgot all about my "just one more home win" wish and now I'm craving the World Series here in Toronto. The fun thing about going to so many playoff games is that more or less the same people sit around us, and we're getting to recognize each other. We said goodnight by saying "see you at the World Series!" and now I really want that bad.
If Wednesday's team shows up in KC for games 6 and 7, I think it will happen. They were great. To quote Drake (who is used constantly as Jays walk-on music), the 2015 Blue Jays have got a "World Series" attitude. I think they can get there.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Comeback Kids
I'm super excited that I'm going to be one of those annoying old people who says "I was at game 5 of the ALDS and witnessed the epic 53-minute seventh inning of craziness with Joey Bats' epic bat flip." Except I didn't really see the bat flip since I was high-fiving everyone around me.
They did it though! My beloved blue birds came back and won three do-or-die games to win the ALDS and move on to the next round of the playoffs.
And now we're in a similar situation to where we were a week ago: Jays lost the first two games of the series. However, the ALCS is a best-of-seven so it's not do-or-die quite yet, but we need a win.
Starting tmrw, the next three games will be a home. I've got tickets for all but I'm sitting out Tuesday's game because I think three games in a row will be tough to balance with work. I'm selling that one to my friend Vern and gonna watch it at home.
I think this team likes to comeback, has been doing it all season, and I hope they do it again.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Long time, no blog.
Thank goodness for long weekends, is all I have to say. The first month of school has whirled by, and I'm thankful for an extra day of rest. Right now I'm on the train headed to visit my parents for Thanksgiving. I'm happy to deliver them a bag of random gifts (souvenirs from baseball games, books, and a flavour of chips that I'm confident that my dad will adore). I'm writing this on my phone, so forgive me any typos/errors/mistakes.
I love trains. Being on a train brings me happy memories of taking this very train about a million times, taking trains in Europe, taking the train through the Canadian Rockies, and weekend trips to Montreal.
I've been thinking a lot about Europe. I have some money saved up; I really want to use it to go to Europe over the March Break. I would like to spend a weekend in Paris, because Paris is always a good idea, and then take the train to Amsterdam because I've never been.
Last weekend was oh-so-fun. My friends Matt and Melly were in town from Winnipeg. On Saturday night, we did Nuit Blanche. Nuit Blanche is a night of magic, annoyance, drunk girls falling down on the street in front of you, and exhaustion. There are times when I get grumpy, but at the end I'm always really glad I did it. We smartly took a two-hour break at a pub, which provided lots of amusement too. I ended up getting home at 4 a.m. which made me super proud of myself. I'm in my mid-thirties but I can still do late nights.
Although the next day, I skipped out on brunch because I knew that I needed to rest up for the CHVRCHES concert on Sunday night, and get some school work done. (And watch the last regular season Jays' game which was a debacle.)
The show was great, and then I suggested going to a pub on the Danforth near the venue for a last celebratory drink since I don't see my Winnipeg friends too often. I took them to The Old Nick, which I'd been to before and was okay. We ended up falling in love with the place, the music they played (a lot of old 54-40) and I ended up staying out way too late on a school night and had too much beer. I took a cab home and had problems explaining left and right; luckily the driver was super nice.
But, I was totally fine the next day to drag myself in early for school! Period 1 was rough, but the rest of the day was good and I felt very productive! More late night drinks on school nights perhaps?
And then there was post season baseball.
MLB set the Jays' games at ridiculous times in the afternoon for the ALDS. Luckily, I have fourth period off, so I snuck out early on Thursday (after making arrangements w my VP, who's cool). The atmosphere was amazing. Seeing the "2015 AL East Champions" banner unfurled almost brought me to tears. The game, however, was a disappointment.
And then there was the result of Friday's fourteen-inning marathon. Oh man. Now my beloved team is in a do-or-die must-win-three-in-a-row situation.
No matter what happens, it's been an amazing season, and I love this baseball team.
I love trains. Being on a train brings me happy memories of taking this very train about a million times, taking trains in Europe, taking the train through the Canadian Rockies, and weekend trips to Montreal.
I've been thinking a lot about Europe. I have some money saved up; I really want to use it to go to Europe over the March Break. I would like to spend a weekend in Paris, because Paris is always a good idea, and then take the train to Amsterdam because I've never been.
Last weekend was oh-so-fun. My friends Matt and Melly were in town from Winnipeg. On Saturday night, we did Nuit Blanche. Nuit Blanche is a night of magic, annoyance, drunk girls falling down on the street in front of you, and exhaustion. There are times when I get grumpy, but at the end I'm always really glad I did it. We smartly took a two-hour break at a pub, which provided lots of amusement too. I ended up getting home at 4 a.m. which made me super proud of myself. I'm in my mid-thirties but I can still do late nights.
Although the next day, I skipped out on brunch because I knew that I needed to rest up for the CHVRCHES concert on Sunday night, and get some school work done. (And watch the last regular season Jays' game which was a debacle.)
The show was great, and then I suggested going to a pub on the Danforth near the venue for a last celebratory drink since I don't see my Winnipeg friends too often. I took them to The Old Nick, which I'd been to before and was okay. We ended up falling in love with the place, the music they played (a lot of old 54-40) and I ended up staying out way too late on a school night and had too much beer. I took a cab home and had problems explaining left and right; luckily the driver was super nice.
But, I was totally fine the next day to drag myself in early for school! Period 1 was rough, but the rest of the day was good and I felt very productive! More late night drinks on school nights perhaps?
And then there was post season baseball.
MLB set the Jays' games at ridiculous times in the afternoon for the ALDS. Luckily, I have fourth period off, so I snuck out early on Thursday (after making arrangements w my VP, who's cool). The atmosphere was amazing. Seeing the "2015 AL East Champions" banner unfurled almost brought me to tears. The game, however, was a disappointment.
And then there was the result of Friday's fourteen-inning marathon. Oh man. Now my beloved team is in a do-or-die must-win-three-in-a-row situation.
No matter what happens, it's been an amazing season, and I love this baseball team.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Post season!
Well it's official! My beloved Blue Jays have clinched a postseason berth for the first time in 22 years. The news was announced on Saturday morning to little fanfare because of a mathematical oversight... Turns out the LA Angels didn't have to lose on Friday night after all. The team celebrated after the game though, and the footage warmed my heart.
Today, I went to the final home game of the regular season and it was an exciting end to a great season of home games. The Jays rallied from behind, and we were treated to a walk off home run by MVP candidate Josh Donaldson.
It was really nice that after the win, ppl didn't rush out of the stadium to beat traffic but stayed to celebrate with the team. When we finally left, ppl were chanting "Go Jays Go" and "MVP" as we went down the ramp from the 500s.
There are still seven more roads games, but I am so pumped for the Blue Jays to clinch the AL east, finally add a new banner in the Dome, and play in the postseason.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Nothing quite exhausts me like a field trip for school. Especially when it involves a whole day in the sun. I should have out sunblock on; my nose is a bit red.
Other than the last home game of the regular baseball season, I don't have much planned this weekend and I should keep it that way. I have visitors coming next week and anti-Stephen Harper events, all night street art crawls, and concerts coming up so I need to rest, clean, and get ahead of the school work game.
Other than the last home game of the regular baseball season, I don't have much planned this weekend and I should keep it that way. I have visitors coming next week and anti-Stephen Harper events, all night street art crawls, and concerts coming up so I need to rest, clean, and get ahead of the school work game.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Time.
I need more time. I am struggling with balancing the following:
- Baseball (went to the Jays' game today; watching Yankees @ Mets while doing schoolwork; caught all games this weekend) A+
- Socializing (went for a walk in High Park w a friend after school on Thursday, organized a work-friend social on Friday, hung out w friend on Saturday, Jays' game = social) A+
- Lesson planning (I struggle but it's always done) A+
- Extracurricular activities (All under control) A+
- Self care (got hair and nails done on Sat; made dentist app't; need to get a massage) A-
- Marking (I marked 1.5 sets out of four this weekend; old me would have done zero) B-
- Rilo care (she got mad at me today because I was planning lessons instead of paying attention to her after being gone all day; other than that no real complaints from her) B-
- Cleaning (place is messy, but not at its worst) C-
- Sleeping (I get enough on weekends; but not during week) C-
- Blogging (I am down to one post a week and maybe check in on other blogs once per week) C-
- Eating (made lunch 4/5 days last week; ate dinner at home mostly but ate out too much on weekend) D
- Exercise (made my FitBit goal 6/7 days this week; did not go to gym) D
- Reading (haven't read a book since school started) D-
I really do feel that I could raise my grades in the activities where I have C-s or Ds if I had more hours in the day. I do combine baseball with planning and marking, and I think I could combine baseball with more things but sometimes it's nice to have time to zone out, you know??
Also, I do NOT understand how ppl with kids juggle everything. I have troubles taking care of myself and one small cat.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Seems what's been good for the music hasn't always been so good for the life.
This has been my song of the week. I can relate to the line that I borrowed for the title of this post. For me, I would substitute the word "music" for "school" and that would describe my constant struggle for work/life balance.
However, I did say "NO" to something last week which should help. My friend wanted me to help her with the ultimate frisbee team. This would have been something I could have easily done a couple of years ago, but this semester I am teaching an enriched grade 12 biology class which requires a lot of prep so I said no and she understood.
(Part of me is sad because helping her probably would have been lots of fun; but an over-booked/over-stressed me is not fun.)
I had a fun first-earned weekend. (I haven't earned a weekend in months.) On Friday night, I went with my pal Mathew to see Sloan at Massey Hall. I was super excited for the show because I managed to score front row tickets!
We arranged to have dinner at a nearby gastro-pub that we knew would be showing the ballgame. David Price pitching game one against the Yankees in the Bronx is a big deal. Luckily, the Jays scored big and early, so the outcome of the game was pretty much foregone by the time we left.
The show was great! There were technical difficulties at the beginning that meant the band couldn't start right away so the crowd started an impromptu sing-along of "O Canada" followed by a sing-along of my favourite Sloan song of all time, "Deeper Than Beauty". It was fun.
The rest of the weekend was devoted to baseball. Yesterday the Jays had a double-header against the Yankees to make up for Thursday's postponed game and I watched all nine hours of the insanity. It was chilly and rainy out so a perfect day to put on my new fuzzy fall hoodie, light a pumpkin pie candle and watch 9 hours of exciting baseball. The Jays won both games, but not without some extra innings in game 1, and with two players getting injured. It was nuts.
Today's game was less exciting. The Jays lost, but since they took 3/4 of the series against their rivals, I wasn't too concerned.
The rest of my Sunday was spent lesson-planning and running errands. Sigh, this working life!
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Back to school.
The first few lines of St. Vincent's sing Regret sums up how I felt on Tuesday.
"Morning pry the windows open
"Morning pry the windows open
Let in what's so terrifying
Summer is as faded as a lone cicada call
Memories so bright I gotta squint just to recall"
It's been a slow ease into the school year. We had a PD Day last Thursday which was dull but got me into the building. Normally I would stay and do a bit of prep since I was there, but the building was so bloody hot there was no way. I had a little but of intent to go in and do my prep on Friday, but there was opportunity to go for brunch and walk along the beach, and that pull was just too strong.
Luckily, Tuesday was the first day with the kids, but the classes were only twenty minute orientations. Basically I try to learn all the names, chit chat about summer, and tell them how much nerdy fun the semester will be. Because of my Friday beach day, I ended up staying really late on Tuesday prepping for today's classes.
My classes seem really great so far. I have an enriched grade 12 biology class that is going to keep me on my toes with preparation. Luckily, the students are such extremely lovely people that I won't resent the extra work and intensity of the course.
Two more days until my first earned weekend in a long time!!
Monday, August 31, 2015
MLB.TV
I love a sale. This statement is reflected in the fact I spent a bit of cash the other day at Anthropologie because they are giving teachers a 15% back-to-school discount. I have to support a store that likes teachers and has awesome fall sweaters, right?
When my friend Mathew scooped me that MLB.TV was on sale for the rest of the season for only $9.99, I decided why not? Thank goodness I got it when I did too, because they've upped it to $24.99.
Since I've gotten it, I've had the fun of tuning in to Cardinals games. I can also rewatch highlights of Jays games from the opposing team's feed which is fun. I also tuned into the last two innings of the Cubs v Dodgers last night for Arrieta's no-hitter. Lastly, I got to bite my nails tonight as I watched Boston help out the Jays by beating the Yankees.
Do I really have go back to school? Can't I just keep obsessing over baseball? Or at least can I teach a baseball appreciation course?
When my friend Mathew scooped me that MLB.TV was on sale for the rest of the season for only $9.99, I decided why not? Thank goodness I got it when I did too, because they've upped it to $24.99.
Since I've gotten it, I've had the fun of tuning in to Cardinals games. I can also rewatch highlights of Jays games from the opposing team's feed which is fun. I also tuned into the last two innings of the Cubs v Dodgers last night for Arrieta's no-hitter. Lastly, I got to bite my nails tonight as I watched Boston help out the Jays by beating the Yankees.
Do I really have go back to school? Can't I just keep obsessing over baseball? Or at least can I teach a baseball appreciation course?
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Upgrading and cooking.
On Saturday I went with my friend Elisa to see Blue Rodeo at the Molson Ampitheatre.
Elisa is a former colleague/forever friend. We became close because we co-taught a class of students at-risk. A real line from that class that sums up the experience is "Miss, I'm too sober to be here." (Us too, kid, us too.) However, by the end, the two teachers and the kids formed a strange unit that we called our dysfunctional family. Elisa and I have always referred to each other as co-parents because of this little dysfunctional family from years ago.
Apart from being co-parents, we also have similar concert-going styles. We'll both see bands over and over again, and have a love of Canadian music from the 90s. I don't know when it happened, but we found out that we both love Blue Rodeo, and have huge crushes on one of its lead singers, Jim Cuddy, who is pushing sixty and wearing it well, dammit. To give you an idea of the man's fineness, watch this.
We've made it a tradition to see Blue Rodeo whenever they play Massey Hall, and have always wanted to see their annual summertime show at Molson Ampitheatre. So far this has never happened, because one or both of us has been travelling on the date of the show. However, this year we were both in town, and we got cheap-o lawn tickets.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE, aka The Ex --> a giant fair with rides, games, and the most unhealthy food you'd want to eat) is happening right now, and since you have to walk through the CNE grounds to get the Molson Ampiteahtre, and get free admission to The Ex with your concert ticket. We took advantage of this and got there early so we could walk around and eat some of the unhealthy food. I had the Thanksgiving Waffle from Fran's (a waffle made out of stuffing and cranberries, stuffed with turkey and gravy). We split one of this year's most talked about offerings: deep-fried red velvet oreos (i.e. an oreo coated in red velvet batter and deep fried).
When we made it over the venue, there was a marketing campaign going on by Klipsch Audio, where they wanted you to take a picture of yourself being enthusiastic somewhere by their logo and post it on social media. The winning picture would have their lawn seats upgraded to something closer to the stage.
We are younger than the average Blue Rodeo fan. We heard lots of people say "Twitter? Instagram? I don't use those!" when the Klipsch explained the contest to them. We knew that we had this contest, especially when our teacher brains listened carefully to the "enthusiastic" description and posted a slightly embarrassing photo of us jumping in the Klipsch tent.
At about 8:30 pm we got the call from Klipsch that we'd won the upgrades, and we were escorted to our new seats much closer to the stage!
Look at the view of the band!
And Jim was oh-so-close and still looking good!
Elisa is a former colleague/forever friend. We became close because we co-taught a class of students at-risk. A real line from that class that sums up the experience is "Miss, I'm too sober to be here." (Us too, kid, us too.) However, by the end, the two teachers and the kids formed a strange unit that we called our dysfunctional family. Elisa and I have always referred to each other as co-parents because of this little dysfunctional family from years ago.
Apart from being co-parents, we also have similar concert-going styles. We'll both see bands over and over again, and have a love of Canadian music from the 90s. I don't know when it happened, but we found out that we both love Blue Rodeo, and have huge crushes on one of its lead singers, Jim Cuddy, who is pushing sixty and wearing it well, dammit. To give you an idea of the man's fineness, watch this.
We've made it a tradition to see Blue Rodeo whenever they play Massey Hall, and have always wanted to see their annual summertime show at Molson Ampitheatre. So far this has never happened, because one or both of us has been travelling on the date of the show. However, this year we were both in town, and we got cheap-o lawn tickets.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE, aka The Ex --> a giant fair with rides, games, and the most unhealthy food you'd want to eat) is happening right now, and since you have to walk through the CNE grounds to get the Molson Ampiteahtre, and get free admission to The Ex with your concert ticket. We took advantage of this and got there early so we could walk around and eat some of the unhealthy food. I had the Thanksgiving Waffle from Fran's (a waffle made out of stuffing and cranberries, stuffed with turkey and gravy). We split one of this year's most talked about offerings: deep-fried red velvet oreos (i.e. an oreo coated in red velvet batter and deep fried).
When we made it over the venue, there was a marketing campaign going on by Klipsch Audio, where they wanted you to take a picture of yourself being enthusiastic somewhere by their logo and post it on social media. The winning picture would have their lawn seats upgraded to something closer to the stage.
We are younger than the average Blue Rodeo fan. We heard lots of people say "Twitter? Instagram? I don't use those!" when the Klipsch explained the contest to them. We knew that we had this contest, especially when our teacher brains listened carefully to the "enthusiastic" description and posted a slightly embarrassing photo of us jumping in the Klipsch tent.
At about 8:30 pm we got the call from Klipsch that we'd won the upgrades, and we were escorted to our new seats much closer to the stage!
And Jim was oh-so-close and still looking good!
It was such a fun show. They did not skimp on the hits, and we had a blast singing along to some Canadian classics. You know a band is Canadian when they namecheck Lake Ontario in their songs.
***
If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably noticed that I've been cooking a lot lately and maybe have thought WTF. I am not a fan of cooking. I have a few recipes that I've mastered that I can make when needed, but for my day-to-day life, I do not cook. However, cooking for myself is something that I wish I could do more often, and I've come across something that helps me.
I signed up for a service that allows you to pick 2-3 recipes per week from a list, and they deliver all of the ingredients to you on Mondays. It costs about $10 per meal, which I do not think is extravagant at all. The recipes are definitely healthy, and use locally-sourced ingredients. I'm on my second week of doing this and I've made lots of yummy things like turkey with red peppercorn sauce, spinach stuffed chicken, Bavarian sirloin steak, and vegetarian pad thai.
I feel this a DIY learn-to-cook class. I don't know how long I'll keep having ingredients delivered to me, but I'm learning tricks from these recipes like making tasty rice by adding tomato paste to the water, how to cook steak (I'd never cooked steak before), and making the best roasted sweet potatoes ever by coating them in Bavarian mustard.
Tonight I'm having my pal Mathew over to watch the very important baseball game (let's stay in first place Blue Jays!) and to try out pistachio encrusted steak with fingerling potatoes and dino kale. Hopefully both the meal and the baseball game are winners.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Lazy Dog Days of Summer
The end of my third-last week of summer vacation is is approaching. It seems like a longer than average summer since we go back to school a bit later because of a trick of the calendar.
I've been spending the past week socializing, keeping up on baseball (of course), and even conducting some cooking experiments. I also finally bought myself a new TV, and got Apple TV to go with it, so I've been enjoying watching Netflix etc on a big screen as opposed to my iPad.
That's really about it. My brain has gotten so mushy that I don't know what else to write!
Oh I know what else to write about: the serendipity of running into friends. Yesterday, I went to the Eaton Centre and first ran into two good friends from school, which lead to drinks, and afterwards I ran into a friend from university at the LCBO. I always think how these events hinge on all kinds of small decisions/luck. That is, I had to choose to go into a certain store for a specific length of time, choose a slow cashier's line with two people ahead of me, etc et. for these random meetings to happen.
I've been spending the past week socializing, keeping up on baseball (of course), and even conducting some cooking experiments. I also finally bought myself a new TV, and got Apple TV to go with it, so I've been enjoying watching Netflix etc on a big screen as opposed to my iPad.
That's really about it. My brain has gotten so mushy that I don't know what else to write!
Oh I know what else to write about: the serendipity of running into friends. Yesterday, I went to the Eaton Centre and first ran into two good friends from school, which lead to drinks, and afterwards I ran into a friend from university at the LCBO. I always think how these events hinge on all kinds of small decisions/luck. That is, I had to choose to go into a certain store for a specific length of time, choose a slow cashier's line with two people ahead of me, etc et. for these random meetings to happen.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Like list.
1) I really enjoyed the book I won! It was an enjoyable, non-cheesy romance. If that sounds up your alley, definitely check out Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner.
2) I think it was last week that I quickly made it through the show Transparent. It treats its main character, an older trans woman, with such empathy. Most of the main characters in the show are really messed up, but I ended up liking them anyway. Except for the son Josh. I read a review where they describe him as that bad boyfriend you had who quickly declares his love for you and then rips out your heart in a second. And that's precisely why he's so unlikeable.
3) I saw the movies AntMan and Trainwreck. Both were good. Trainwreck made me surprisingly emotional because Amy's dad had MS in the movie, and so does my mom, so it was that (not the love story) that affected me.
4) I saw Jann Arden the other night at a free Panamania show. She is hilarious but her songs are so sad. It's quite the contrast. I'd never seen her live before and really enjoyed it. Her music definitely reminds me of my teenage years, but is still very relevant and relatable.
5) And what else can I say about my beloved Blue Jays who have won 11 games in a row, and have taken first place in the AL East. They have a big three-game series against the Yankees this weekend in which they can hopefully hold onto first place and put some space between themselves and their rivals.
2) I think it was last week that I quickly made it through the show Transparent. It treats its main character, an older trans woman, with such empathy. Most of the main characters in the show are really messed up, but I ended up liking them anyway. Except for the son Josh. I read a review where they describe him as that bad boyfriend you had who quickly declares his love for you and then rips out your heart in a second. And that's precisely why he's so unlikeable.
3) I saw the movies AntMan and Trainwreck. Both were good. Trainwreck made me surprisingly emotional because Amy's dad had MS in the movie, and so does my mom, so it was that (not the love story) that affected me.
4) I saw Jann Arden the other night at a free Panamania show. She is hilarious but her songs are so sad. It's quite the contrast. I'd never seen her live before and really enjoyed it. Her music definitely reminds me of my teenage years, but is still very relevant and relatable.
5) And what else can I say about my beloved Blue Jays who have won 11 games in a row, and have taken first place in the AL East. They have a big three-game series against the Yankees this weekend in which they can hopefully hold onto first place and put some space between themselves and their rivals.
Friday, August 07, 2015
Goodbye Jon.
Tonight I went to the Bloor Cinema for a free screening of the final episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I figure that's the best way to say goodbye to your favourite television host: big screen, six hundred other people, and complimentary buttons!
Unsurprisingly, the final show was pitch perfect. The first segment included an impressive array of Daily Show correspondents: Samantha Bee, Ed Helms, Steve Carrell, Lewis Black, Larry Wilmore, Kristen Schaal, John Oliver, and I could go on and on. The array ended with a dramatic entrance and heartwarming thank you from Stephen Colbert. The six hundred or so of us in the theatre were clapping and laughing though the entire segment.
After that, there was a nice bit where Jon toured through the Daily Show offices, saying hi to each and every employee. He then returned for a "join me at camera three" bit where he warned us to be vigilant for bullshit. Lastly, after thanking his family, crew, and audience, his moment of zen was Bruce Springsteen playing out the show.
I am not sure when I actually began watching the Daily Show. I've definitely been watching it for a solid decade. It's been my late night show of choice, although I usually watch it online the day after now as opposed to staying up late. I'll really miss Jon Stewart's brand of insightful, smart, critical, and often angry comedy. I've always felt that he was the media's biggest critic, and he was the only one out there calling out bias, hyperbole, lies, and bullshit. I'll miss him.
I'm glad I went to the cinema for the finale. It was more of an event than if I watched it at home on my couch, so I can always remember it fondly. Plus, I got a commorative button, ha-ha.
I always find it weird when you feel the need to express gratitude when a pop culture type thing ends, but I think that comedy is art, and comedians are artists and art is important and personal. And that's why the audience needs a moment to say goodbye to artists.
Unsurprisingly, the final show was pitch perfect. The first segment included an impressive array of Daily Show correspondents: Samantha Bee, Ed Helms, Steve Carrell, Lewis Black, Larry Wilmore, Kristen Schaal, John Oliver, and I could go on and on. The array ended with a dramatic entrance and heartwarming thank you from Stephen Colbert. The six hundred or so of us in the theatre were clapping and laughing though the entire segment.
After that, there was a nice bit where Jon toured through the Daily Show offices, saying hi to each and every employee. He then returned for a "join me at camera three" bit where he warned us to be vigilant for bullshit. Lastly, after thanking his family, crew, and audience, his moment of zen was Bruce Springsteen playing out the show.
I am not sure when I actually began watching the Daily Show. I've definitely been watching it for a solid decade. It's been my late night show of choice, although I usually watch it online the day after now as opposed to staying up late. I'll really miss Jon Stewart's brand of insightful, smart, critical, and often angry comedy. I've always felt that he was the media's biggest critic, and he was the only one out there calling out bias, hyperbole, lies, and bullshit. I'll miss him.
I'm glad I went to the cinema for the finale. It was more of an event than if I watched it at home on my couch, so I can always remember it fondly. Plus, I got a commorative button, ha-ha.
I always find it weird when you feel the need to express gratitude when a pop culture type thing ends, but I think that comedy is art, and comedians are artists and art is important and personal. And that's why the audience needs a moment to say goodbye to artists.
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