Ecumenical

Main Entry: ec·u·men·i·cal
Pronunciation: \ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-kəl, -kyü-\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin oecumenicus, from Late Greek oikoumenikos, from Greek oikoumenē the inhabited world, from feminine of oikoumenos, present passive participle of oikein to inhabit, from oikos house — more at vicinity
Date: circa 1587
1 : worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
2 a : of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches b : promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation
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I have a love hate relationship with the word "ecumenical"- I use it a lot to describe my Christmas Traditions however when I try to use it in a sentence I can never figure out how to spell it. EVER... I always have to "call a friend", thankfully it's always the same friend so when I write "How do I spell that word again? that one that means 'celebrate all religions' Ecremenical... ??? " he knows what I mean and writes "I think you spell it 'Ecremenical', but I think everyone else spells it 'ecumenical'. ;)"

The word Ecumenical means to me is (and I quote Wikipedia)

Ёcumenism or Œcumenism (also Ecumenism, oecumenism or even eucumenism) now mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater religious unity or cooperation.

In its broadest sense, this unity or cooperation may refer to a worldwide religious unity; by the advocation of a greater sense of shared spirituality across the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Most commonly, however, ecumenism is used in a more narrow meaning; referring to a greater cooperation among different religious denominations of a single one of these faiths.

I learnt this word from a Stuart Mclean story about a children's politically correct Christmas pageant Winter Festival called Morley's Christmas Pageant ("Morley's Christmas Concert") Priceless story even though I feel as though I am going to get into trouble for writing this- I beleive that is part of going to Catholic School my whole life.

Hawksley Workman

I can't exactly say that I am obsessed with Hawksley Workman because most of his songs are songs that I could write myself while cooking in the kitchen or putting on my pajamas.

Rain, rain
Falling is the only thing you ever do
You’re getting pretty good
You’re getting pretty good at it now
Down, down
Down to where the trouble and hurt does live
Where so many fall
Where so many take and not give
-Rain by Hawksley Workman

alright, maybe not... he takes the simplest things and works them through to a very metaphorical creation. He's coming out with a new album on January 19th 2010 and I just heard the song "Baby Mosquito" which was stunningly melodic. Even for the struggles of the life for a baby Mosquito, I was moved.

The point of the post was basically to quote Hawksley in true Hawksley speak-

"If you are not working then I don't know what you are do and whatever you are doing just isn't working"

So true.
Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have a lovely one!
I think Ill have a little Nutella this weekend- Mmmmm

Little Christmas

It was a few weeks before Christmas and all through the house

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

I sat by the computer Googling things with care,
in hopes that free Airmiles soon would be near.

True story!

I ended up doing a search for "Christmas" just for fun and found myself in Wikipedia reading all about it. Down near the bottom I saw a sub link titled "Little Christmas" - being little myself I though "Hmmm.. This sounds like a Christmas made JUST for me!" Well, my goodness... if that wasn't the best little find- I was delighted! Enter NEW Tradition!

The origins of Little Christmas (also know as Woman's Christmas) came from Ireland. Back in the day when woman did all the house work and men were expected to never lift a finger, the ladies were given a break on January 6Th when for one day the roles would change. Men all across Ireland would let their wives rest and send them out to the pub while they stayed home to tend to the chores. As time passed and the roles became more flexible the tradition has shifted somewhat. Still mildly popular in areas such as Cork the tradition has become more of a "girls night out" then anything else.

Being a sentimental girl who loves to eat who am I to scoff at a chance to take advantage of Ye Olde Tradition (even if I am of Canadian-Italian heritage). Had a lovely little dinner with my lovely little friend Rheann over a lovely little glass of Gamay with a lovely little dish of bubbly, gourmet Mac and Cheese and a little side salad. Mmmmm...

Much like my Menorah (yes I light a Menorah every year even though I am not Jewish) I hope this becomes another part of my collective cherry picked Christmas Traditions.

Happy Little Christmas everyone!

What A Rest Can Do For You

yes, this is me being "loved to death" by 3 Golden Retrievers and 1 Sheba Inu

Working in sales for 13 years did something to me where Christmas is concerned. Like a double edged sword I started in retail working at a high end jewelery store, selling shiny things to people who well... often had too much money. Our busiest time was Christmas which meant that I was busy selling and making money, far too busy to actually spend it and enjoy Christmas. When I finally got sick of that life and entered into the world of paper pushing and 9-5 hours I was delighted to have the flexibility to take the last few weeks off in December.

It's become almost part of the gluttony to enjoy the relaxation of the holiday season. I get my Christmas shopping done early and take full advantage of all the festivities going on. I stay away from the malls, eat, sleep and enjoy too much- it's delightful. This year was my first full on indulgence- I enjoyed my time off so much that I honestly forgot what day it was. I was only off work for 12 days but it was enough for me become a woman of leisure. I will admit that I dragged my feet all the way to work on Monday but when I got there I was recharged and ready to get my stuff done. I fell in love with my job again and I feel very optimistic about 2010. It was the perfect time off- the office was only open for 3 days of my 12 days off so I didn't have much work to catch up on. I just to deal with one broken ankle and a bunch of enrolment cards- not to shabby at all!

I spent time out of the city where I could enjoy the mountains and fresh air. I played in the snow like a child and ran with the dogs like I was part of the pack. I enjoyed a bit of the Calgary culture I'd been ignoring the last few months, found new places to eat and shop. Enhanced my senses and took a lot of pictures. I woke up in the morning not even looking at the time and read till I felt it was time to make a lavish breakfast. I have to brag- I felt so good! I can honestly say that this was the first time in a long time that I actually felt relaxed- I understood what the word meant. Finally...

What's a Girl To Do? HELP!

So I am stuck beyond belief as to what to do for my 30Th birthday. This is my thought pattern...

I should have a party!!! Too much work, I'd have to do all the work. Don't want couch to get red wine on it.
should have a party and put plastic cover on couch TAAA-CKY!
Dinner at a really nice restaurant! Friends are too eclectic and I want everyone to feel comfortable
Dinner at a decent restaurant and then drinks after boring...

*sigh!*

I wanted to start planning this a few months ago but someone told me not to- then wasn't the time to worry about it... but sadly, now I'm stuck worrying about it and only have a week left.

What is a 29 almost 30 year old to do? H-E-L-P!!!

Suggestions?? Ideas?? Inspiration?? I'll take anything right about now.... maybe a costume party?

Zoo Lights

The first time I went to Zoo Lights it actually wasn't called zoo lights- it was a light safari that I could drive though. I think it was by donation and you could drive though all these light displays in the nice warm car which had the radio station tuned to the private channel so you got a play by play explanation of the whole tour. It was fun and I didn't know what it was, it wasn't at the zoo either so it must have had another name.


A few years later, I heard about this thing called Zoo lights that was at *gasp* the zoo... you could walk around and see all these little light displays. It only shows up during December- just in time for Christmas! Laura and I went a half hour before closing. I'm not sure why we went and I'm not sure why it only took us 15 minutes to walk through the whole things but it did and we vowed never to go back again.

It was cold and there were too many wild, screaming children.

How quickly I forget- low and behold, I put "Go to Zoo Lights" as #16 on my list of things to do before I turn 30. Maybe it was the draw of over 3 million lights or the fact that it is the biggest of it's kind in Western Canada. Perhaps in my old age I am getting soft and the idea of Hot Coco and Outdoor fire pits have a real attraction to me.

Or maybe I'm like a dog and forget things within 15 minutes.

Regardless, I went... it was -20°c out and I was determined- I had coupons!! It was pretty fun- I don't think I'll go again any time soon but there is something sweet about strolling in the snowy dark with millions of colored lights glowing all around. Nice way to say farewell to the holidays and hello to the new year.

Testing The Dinner Party

I finally had the dinner party- well really it was more of a dinner "gathering" I had a few people over and made them dinner. It was a test to see how a full scale thing might go (ie: my birthday)- conclusion? I'm not ready...

I made this french vegetable soup that I love and that anyone can eat. I know too many people with crazy allergies to things like BUTTER (yes, you heard me right). Do you know how hard it is to cook french food with out butter or cream of any kind? It's pretty darn hard. But I do it the best that I can... I made the real stuff for me (Mmmm buttery, creamy yum for me). Served it with a nice hearty crusty bread and rich, young cheese. It was pretty good a side from my hyper critical opinion of anything I create for people. Oh and I didn't have enough bowls. I had to call my guests at the last minute and ask them to bring their own bowls (such a good hostess). If it had been any day other then New Years Day- a day when everything is shut- I would have gone out and purchased something down the street at Urban Barn.

Dessert was a last thought that actually turned out really well, I wanted to stick with the casual, rustic feel I had already created with my main. So I just chopped up a bunch of apples, threw in some Cinnamon and then sprinkled a crumble of sugar, flour and butter (no dairy spread for the allergic person) then baked it. I quickly threw together some whipping cream (I don't do Coolwhip or that junk in the can- ugh) and served it up warm from the oven.

Nothing too fussy, just some good old fashion food. it worked out well.

What I learnt though was:

• I need a bigger table
• I need bowls
• I want to replace the broken wine glass that John broke all those years ago (stupid Birks for discontinuing the pattern.)
• i need more chairs
• I also would like a little help.

I threw dinner together in an hour (including dessert) and the only reason why I think I achieved this was I am a mad woman with a knife. I guess it's scary for other people but I'm okay with it.

So yes, I would like to classify this as achieving #1 of my list (I must be kind to myself- I tried!)

A Letter to a Yogurt Eater

Dear Yogurt Cup Eater,

Please stop making that noise when you eat yogurt- it drives me up the wall. Regardless of how hard, quick or persistent you are with the digging of your spoon you will not magically find any more yogurt at the bottom of the container. When it is done, it is done. Please accept that.

Happy New Year and have a lovely day!



PS: if you happen to have discovered the magical bottomless yogurt cup- please let me know. Thank you!

Dear Bernard

Dear Bernard,

I ate too much of your seasonal chocolate yule log- ugh. Why the heck do you make the whole thing out of your famous chocolate and then fill it with the same? Santa know that I can not resist anything chocolate that is left sitting on the tables in the lunch rooms.

My eyes are much bigger then my tummy. I'm going to undo my pants for the rest of the afternoon.

Ugh.

Love from,

PS: I really am talking about chocolate

Heritage Park

I haven't been to Heritage Park in years so last weekend I made a point of going. I had been grocery shopping at the Safeway near my parents place and they had given me two 50% off gate admission tickets. WHY NOT! It was on my list anyway... It was delightfully busy with line ups threading out of the bakery. Everyone I saw was content with a a hot coco in one hand a fresh cinnamon bun in the other. I just love the little town in the park- I enjoy looking through the old Heritage houses imagining that I could come home to one of them one day. With the many wood burning fire places, large kitchen, many bedrooms and sprawling porches I was in a dream world for a good 3 hours.

The dentist was the only thing that didn't look as though it had changed much- tee hee



"Please do not touch" but nothing said "Please do not sit"... top floor of an old farm house warmed by the afternoon sun



Eyeing up the horse. I think he was allergic to me as well



That's better . friends....



REAL Reindeer walking down Main Street! REAL Reindeer!



See REAL! At first I was a little annoyed (and impressed) that they would glue antlers on deer but then it dawned on me that reindeer actually do exist. Not my brightest moments.

Jingly Bell Hay Rides- I couldn't justify standing in line for an hour just to rise around the park in an over packed wagon. They were fun to look at though. I kept calling them cars though... "Watch out! Here comes one of those cars!"

Is that a Reindeer or a Blanche? I will never tell!

I had a wonderful time- they have done a wonderful job of keeping the park interesting and new. With the addition of Gasoline Alley (which I must admit wasn't worth the extra admission. I didn't pay it and just walked right in view the collection of cars. Naughty... I know) and many new stores plus a fancy dancy new restaurant that serves all the kinds of food I like, I was impressed. I totally plan to go again- next time though I plan to go when the rides are up and running. Nothing scares me more then a good ol' fashion Ferris wheel- EEK!

#15, you are now complete!

OOOOHHH! PS! I forgot to also state that they have an ice rink that NEVER MELTS! For real- I think because we have such hot and cold winters in Calgary they needed something that wasn't ice and wouldn't melt. As some of you remember when we had the 1988 Olympics we were in the middle of +20°c weather due to one of those lovely Chinooks.

Dance Like...

Dance like your pants are on fire and the only way to put it out is by dancing more! That is my rule for dancing, I don't know or even really care if I am any good. All I know is I have a lot of fun doing it (hence the 10pm solo kitchen dance parties I use to have until I found out that all that activity before bed was keeping me awake). What makes it even more fun? Having a people around who are the same way- I don't care if you know how to move your hips or not, just get out there and have a blast! The sillier the better and just so you know- I always hold the microphone (just like how I play air guitar and violin).

It was on my list to get out and dance before my birthday came and went. It's taken a back priority the last few years because I find myself surrounded by people who

A) don't like to dance or
B) are too cool to dance with me.

Some of my favorite fuzzy moments involve ridiculous glides across gymnasium floors or impromptu waltzes in the aisle at Walmart. Good times...

A few years ago I made the mistake at my company Christmas party of discovering that strapless dresses and dancing like a monster don't mix. It was only a matter of seconds but my dress fell down and for my dance partner to catch a glimpse of my boobs. OH WELL- that stop me though. I pulled it back up and kept right on dancing-sure, one hand was holding my dress up but the other was up in the air keeping time to my wiggling hips.

This year I made a similar mistake- though my dress was heavily boned through the bodice it still made dancing a little uncomfortable and I had to keep ducking into the kitchen to readjust. I have sworn to myself never to wear another strapless dress to another danceable function again.

Regarless, I had fun. I danced, I laughed and I then I went to bed. #12, you've been taken care of!

The Tale of Two iPods- No Wait Three! Or Was It Four?

I once dated a guy who gave me an iPod. It was a great Christmas gift! One of the craziest surprises I've ever had! He had put all my gifts in a fluffy red stocking and thrust it into my hands with a sheepish smile. I don't really remember what else was in there- odds and ends that were basically just stocking stuffers. One thing for sure was a pink protector case with a clear front. Impressed and not wanting to hurt his feelings I squealed with glee about how this would protect my already abused cell phone! Promptly grabbing it and stuffing it in this protector sleeve I threw it back in my purse. I think there was a stuffed animal in there, some chocolate and a big Book of Lifesavers- delighted I tossed them all a side and gave him a big hug. The end. But that wasn't the end- he wanted a Lifesaver (which I thought was strange. MINE!). So I opened the box (which was oddly wrapped in cling wrap but I thought- oh well!) and found that there were no Lifesavers in the box but a brand spanking new iPod Video (when they first came out). I swear I wet my pants right there! Going through I found that he had found obscure recording from artists that I was in love with. Writing all the song lyrics down to many of my Led Zeppelin recordings and even writing experts from letters we had written in the notes sections. It was beyond one of the most thoughtful gifts I had received from a boyfriend (it ranks up there with a handmade hope chest my high school sweetheart made for me- I love it even though he marvels at the fact I still have it). As it turned out the pink thing that I put my cell phone into was actually the protective case for the iPod- SILLY ME! I called it- actually I forget what I called it because I think he named it for me. As our relationship flourished and then turned sour so did that iPod- eventually he disappeared from my life and took the iPod with him. He can keep those memories thank you very much- I have the ones that only exists in my mind of once receiving a delightful gift. I entered into a another relationship which found me with another iPod- this one was given to me as he upgraded to something bigger and better. I was delighted to own something that carried 40GB of music. I called it "Pure Life" I filled that thing to the brim with all my favorite songs and when that relationship finally ended he didn't want it back so I was free to be with just my music and me. I had that thing for years- It came with me EVERYWHERE... always thrown into my purse it was my friend and savour through many events over the years. Keeping me company as I worked, walked and tanned (amongst other things). Me and my iPod- my iPod and me... we were joined at the hips. Or maybe I should say, the ears. One day though, it died. 100% died... I mourned over it like I would a family member or a friend. It was around that time that I won an iPod though some thing- delighted to have portable music, it brought new energy to my life! It was purple and I called it "Little B"- it was little and the amount of music it was kind of silly for me to use Little B for as long as I did. It was around that time that I found myself with a new guy who gave me what I call "Sirius Black" (yes, after the Harry Potter character- I am indeed a dork). It was his old one that he no longer needed because he had just purchased a fancy new gadget of his own. Sirius Black is the one that I have now, I no longer take it everywhere with me because I find run the risk of getting run over on the way to work. It's just on loan till I buy my own- one of these days I will... but for now, this is my take of four iPods. The End.

Twisted Snowman

Today I startyed my day with Chocolate and this:

One Purple Paperclip

I've heard about what you can get with 1 red paperclip... I wonder what I can get for 1 purple paperclip?

(kind of reminds me of grape gum... Mmmmm)

Picture borrowed from: Flickr

Professor Quirrell Demands Silence (Amongst Others)

At the end of November Ian Hart made UK headlines with an outburst at the end of a performance. Claiming that an audience member was talking through out the production he leapt off stage in an out of control lesson in etiquette. This isn't the first time this has happened, Hugh Jackman in Character reprimanded an audience member for a ringing cell phone all while still in character. Live actors are taking some what of a stance in rebellion of modern technology ignorance and other social faux pas, it removes them from character and distracts them from their art. I don't really care how good of an actor you are, I imagine that while trying to portray a starving Russian immigrant in the 1800's and hearing a cell phone alarm go off- you too may be a bit distracted.

As a continuous audience member in many different cultural event in the city I would like to suggest some awareness's to those who attend them as well.

#1 Keep your cell phones closed- even if you have your ringer off everyone can see the light (this goes for movie theaters as well) as you sit there and text or just simply check the time. I personally have some patience for the single offender- there can be situations or emergencies that require you to take a peep at your phone or time however over all. Does it really matter? Why bother to go out if all you are going to do is IM or play on Facebook the whole time.

#2 Candy is great but their wrappers are not. I understand that mouths get dry and sometimes something a bit sweet is nice but there is something annoying about the person who chooses to unwrap their Kerrs Mint right during the aria in Turandot. My advise? Wait for the set change or for the audience to clap or for one of those obvious lulls. If you must crackle the crinkle- doing it slowly doesn't do anyone any favors. It still makes the same noise just for a lot longer. Doing it quick and do it right. Thank you.

#3 Talking and singing along is usually Okay at concerts however any where else it can be annoying. Especially if it carries on for longer then necessary "Psst... I fell asleep- what did I miss? I want to know EVERY detail..." full out conversations during anything that you do in the dark in wrong. Just my opinion... I learnt this when I saw The Nutcracker Suite many years ago and the woman behind me hummed THE WHOLE TIME. I was 17 at the time and I think it even bothered me then.

#4 Don't put your production program on the stage, put it under your seat. The stage isn't there to be your table- it's for the actors.

#5 During a performance please don't use the flash on your camera. Ever. Especially if you are the guy who is sitting in the back row of the third tier-You're pictures aren't going to be very good and the flash isn't going to make difference either way.

To me, these are just common sense practices to exercise whenever going out to see a show.

Calgary is funny though, I'm not sure what it is but over all I think as a mass we get things a little mixed up. When going to some plays, operas and ballets I've seen people wearing jeans or worse- sweatpants. With their feet resting up on the backs of other peoples chairs they chow down on their stinky "snuck-in" meatball subs. However take that same group to a concert and they are stiffer then a 2 x 4 on the coldest day in Edmonton. It's uncanny...

If you are moved by the show, production, concert- whatever... get up and show it. Cry if you want to cry, laugh if you want to laugh, clap if you want to clap and for god sake don't be scared to move your body. Doesn't mean you have to get up and dance like a rubber person in the aisles (it's Okay if you do though... sometimes it's just that good) but it's alright to move your head, tap your foot or just plain ol' move. No one cares, no one is really watching and the person on the stage is going to feed off of the fact that what they are doing is inspiring you.


It's true!

So keep your cell phones and unrelated conversations to yourself and have a good time. It's really just that simple! What do you think?

Christian the Lion (Just for Rolley)

I was reminded by my Blogger friend Rolley during a recent comment he had made on my Baby Rhino post about Christian the Lion.

Rolley, please see video below:


That is your fuzzy, warm video for the day!

If I Were A Rhino

Look at how CUTE I'd be!

Walking, playing, running with my Mum. SO good.