Note To Self...

Thou shall not come on Blogger after 9pm on a school/work night.

WHY you ask? because I don't go to bed... I've been busy catching up on everyones fantastic blogs and damn... it's getting way past my bed time. I must keep my blogging STRICTLY for at work ONLY. Hmmmm... remind me to bug I.T. about why I can't post comments on some peoples (Rolley's) blogs when I'm at work... I'm sure I just need them to update the flash or something on my computer.

I won't even have time to do my Brain Age before bed... it makes me too excited doing my 9's times tables.

I don't even think I ate dinner (oops) but I did do laundry (bonus points, it's been a few weeks. It's creepy that I can go a month and still have enough clean socks and matching undies to not cause any alarm... regardless, I was running out of towels) and something else- oh yes. This is very important. I watched 90210 (Oh I know, it's time to disown me) and had a kitchen dance party.

OK, I have to get my butt to bed. Good Night, October is almost over CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

image: note to self by alex ostrowski

Music Obsession Monday: Florence + The Machine

This Weeks Music Obsession: Florence + The Machine

"According to [Florence] Welch 'The name Florence and the Machine started
off as a private joke that got out of hand'..."

Florence +The Machine fall under many genres:
Art rock
Indie pop
Alternative rock
Soul
Baroque Pop
...Soul Inspired Indie

How ever you choose to classify her and define the bands sound it's making waves across the UK... raspy, strong, full of life waves throbbing with rhythm. Even I can catch a beat to clap along too and that is unheard of because all the things I can do in life, clapping along isn't one of them.

Dog Days (Live) by Florence + The Machine


This is a live version of a song called Dog Days, there was a "block" on the actual video which includes such delights as a colony of forest clowns clapping along making it easy for me to follow.

Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) by Florence + The Machine

Music that I can't help but move my body too... it's thrash/dance-before-bed-with-all-the-lights-on-and-without-a-care-of-what-the-neighbours-think music.

Enough blogging, time for more dancing.

Steve and KFC

I once had a roommate named Steve
Who loved Transformers and eating KFC

Always keen to a good deal

Especially when it came to a meal

OH! how he'll smile when he learns he can get it for free!

*Free Chicken Thing on November 1st Across Canada*

Over the duration of the 2 years that Steve and I were roommates I went to KFC more then any other period in my life. I didn't like it. My body just can't digest it... maybe it's the grease, maybe it's the special seasoning or maybe it was just the fact that I always called it Barny's Chicken (I blame my mother for the inability to call things by their proper name). I'd sit there in the greasy booths drinking my milk and playing with one of the new toys I got from the little coin machines by the front door (yes, I was an adult) while Steve would munch away contently on some type of Crispy Chicken sandwich. I'd steal the odd fry and people watch... I can't really remember what we would talk about but it was fun. As gross as it was, it was fun.

He has since moved out and lives near a different KFC but every so often I get a text message from him - "KFC? Blah". Usually I'm busy or not around but I think I will always associate KFC with Steve (amongst other things but those things are not free on November 1st- at least not to my knowledge).

Giddy-Up! It's Weekend Time!

I've got my sights set on the horizon.

My horse and I are taking off into the sunset...

Happy Friday Everyone!

Filthy Handshakes

While listening to the lunch time news it was brought to my attention between the "swine flu" this and the "swine flu" that doctors are strongly suggesting that we forgo the handshake and adopt the "Fist Bump" as a means of greeting and introduction. With holiday parties coming up I try to imagine myself going through the crowd, meeting interesting people and pounding fists with them.

• Obama does it, a good example is when he celebrated winning the Democratic nomination.

• The Dalali Lama participated in a fist bump when greeted in Memphis, Tennessee (he seemed amused much like when Calgary put THE White Cowboy Hat on his head).

• The Canadian Olympic Team is resisting the temptation to handshake (or slap each other on the butts) in moments of congratulations and instead plan to touch elbows to avoid unnecessary contact.

Article after article depicts there being such an importance in keeping hands clean and not touching the face (eyes, mouth, nose) to prevent the transmission of dirty nasty viruses (ew). But really, is this going too far? Though I agree, one needs to be more aware of washing their hands especially before eating but do we really need to take things this far? I guess in some situations yes... it helps to numb the fear that so many people have including myself. With so much uncertainty it's nice to know that we, as people, can control one thing that we know won't hurt us. Regardless of if we are left wing or right wing, the first in line for vaccinations or think it's all a government driven conspiracy.

I don't think I'll go as far as pounding fists with my boss or touching elbows with fellow fans at a hockey game however I think I may choose to be more aware of if my hands are clean. Perhaps in a situation when confronted by handshaking and finger food I may keep one hand for good (clean. For touching food... lets say my Left Hand) and the other hand for "nasty" actions (handshaking and other such filthy habits).

What are your thoughts?

How To Give A Proper Handshake:

General Etiquette:
How To Give A Homie Handshake

CNN Commentary: Fist Bump

CBC News: Fist Bump and the Flu

Staples; A Love Letter

Dear: Person at the Scanner/Printer/Fax Machine in my Department,

I love you, I really do however it sounds as though you are trying to feed something through the scanner that has a staple in it. Don't do that- PLEASE.

• Reason#1- putting something stapled through the scanner will only scan the FIRST page, not the other pages attached to it by a staple.

• Reason #2- 99.9% of the time it wrecks the machine so none of us can use it. I think you may have one in your own department so my assumption is that you tried to scan your stapled report using that machine and broke it because stapled reports should not be fed through the scanner. My department looks after its high capacity printer, scanner/printer/fax machine and shredder. Your department currently has issues with all 3 of those machines... I'm just saying.

• Reason #3- This is the most important reason so pay attention closely. If my departments printer/scanner/fax machine breaks that means The Lexmark Repair Guy has to come and fix it. That isn't a good thing- at all. It's a very, very, bad thing. A creepy thing.
  

This can all be prevented if you stop trying to scan something that has a staple in it. Please, for the love of GOD! When the machine beeps at you it's not saying a friendly "Hello" it's actually saying "You're feeding me staples and my paper is all bunged up in my machine intestinal track and i don't like you so PLEASE stop touching me and give me some space."

I understand that you are just a person working in an office just trying to get your job done, I get that. We are all in the same Monday-to-Friday-month-end-boat. I also see that you are dedicated to finishing your scanning so I admire your diligence. Strong work ethic can be a hard thing to find these days. Unfortunately, an outsourced office machine repair guy who doesn't come off as a total creep is another rare thing so to save us all... please stop feeding stuff into the scanner with staples in it.

Sincerely,

B.

Sneezes

I've been having a lot of colorful sneezes recently. No, I am not talking about the byproduct of sneezing but more just the variety of sneezes I've been having. On average my sneezes are those cute little dainty things that women in high heels with matching hand bags tend to project when shopping for more high heels and matching hand bags. I always gingerly remove a tissue from my pocket and blot my nose in the most delicate of ways hoping that more are not on the way. More often then not though I never just sneeze once, I usually display a collection of sneezes often brought on by kitten, bunnies or The Calgary Stampede (I'm allergic to the rodeo/hay/horses/trashy women and severely intoxicated men). The concern with this is though I can produce 3 or 4 dainty lady like sneezes in a row it's the last one that kills me. It's the last one that I can no longer hold on to and KAZAAAAM- out it rips scaring children for life and making men cry in fear.


Just a few minutes ago as I was sitting in my office doing something... I can't remember what I was going... doesn't really matter. Point being, I was severely distracted and in being in the state of mind I was taking off guard by a sneeze attack. Loud, uncontrolled, orgasmic sneezes echoed down the hall of my work- each one sounding different and more out of control then the last. I would compare the noise to that which may come from an animal consisting of equal parts pig and turkey. I do always try to make it better though by saying "excuse me"... sort of a verbal, indirect apology to all those with in ear shot. It wasn't until the "new girl" sitting in the office across from me who never wears denim on casual Friday sneezed that I felt like a total monster. Just moments after I released my plethora of hybrid bran yard animal noises did she pull out her own version of an uncontrollable sneeze attack which was so cute I couldn't help but think about baby bunnies and those fluffy white kitten on the toilet paper commercials which in turn made me sneeze one last time.



I don't think anyone else noticed our sneeze off, and if they did they didn't mention anything (not even a "bless-you"). The "new girl" didn't even notice and to be quit honest, I'm sure she was too busy working to even notice that she sneezed mean while I am sitting here writing a full on post about it. Perhaps I need to readjust my priorities? Naaaaaaaa...


Photo Credit to Laura Barrett, my BFF who captured herself mid sneeze. Camera Phones, what would we do with out them?

Music Obsession Monday: Jill Barber

This Weeks Music Obsession: Jill Barber

A Smokey-Folk-Jazz Canadian award winning singer song writer (that's a mouthful) who has been compared to the likes of Patsy Cline, Etta James and Edith Piaf is my newest music obsession. Her music has a somewhat timeless retro sound laced ever so smartly with her smokey voice. "Now I can finally claim to be making 'popular music'. So what if it's only what was popular 50 or 60 years ago." Music from a bygone era of romance and grace.

I've only heard Jill recorded thus far however that will all change come December when I have a chance to see her along with a few other artists live. I'm pretty excited, nothing ever showcases a talented artist better then live shows admits simple surroundings.

Oh my-my, oh hell yes.

What I Learnt About Today: Spider Pill

So while working at work (amazing, I know) I was listening to a radio show on the CBC. They had mentioned some interesting discoveries/ inventions in the world of medicine. One being Nanoparticles and how they can be used to potentially aide in the recovery of cancer (still 10 years or so away from that in Canada) and something called a Spider (EEK) Pill. Yes, Spider Pill. The scientist being interviewed explained this Spider Pill as being a camera the size of your run of the mill vitamin that is ingested and used to explore the inner parts of ones gastric intestinal system. Reminds me of a movie I watched in the 80's called Innerspace.

So, if you happened to be an "ideal candidate" (currently the only ideal candidate appears to be pigs) you would arrive at your doctors office and he would give you this thing (thing being the technical term for camera right now) about the size of a vitamin to swallow. After about 30 minutes or so the doctor would then activate the Spider Pill causing tiny little legs to sprout out (for real! Creepy isn't it!!!) so they can then control the camera like a mechanical toy to walk around your insides and scope out potential issues. This is all wireless and disposable. Once all areas have been explored and issues have been addressed you would be sent home to allow nature to take it's course, passing this as though it were breakfast.

They mentioned that Canada is about 2 years away from gaining this type of technology; the main concern being that doctors and scientists are concerned what little walking Spider Pill legs might do to our delicate insides (agreed, that is a good thing to be concerned about). As I mentioned above they are currently testing this on pigs which appears to be going quite well.

The intention in this invention is to create a more accurate, comfortable alternative to the ever popular colonoscopy (amongst other things). To read a more intellectual article on the subject I found this write up about it in the Telegraph.UK

Spider Pill Article

I tried to find images of it but all I could come up with were REALLY creepy pictures of gigantic spiders where are not my favorite things so you'll either have to search yourself or let your imagination go wild!

The Dawn Of The October Long Weekend

Wasn't it just Friday LAST WEEK? I think as a result of being a sickie my days got lost behind the medication and naps... today only feels like Tuesday to me NOT Friday and especially not a Friday before a 3 day weekend.


The leaves have started to fall and being that my parents live in an older, well treed area of the city it has become a tradition for Laura and I to rake the leaves on Thanksgiving Monday before dinner. Usually it takes all day and generates about 18 giant garbage bags (which we bring for recycle of course). We listen to music (Folk Music, Fleetwood Mac or something else that seems fitting for October) and jump in the piles before packing it in. This year however the snow has come early and my mum (being my mum) doesn't want me playing in the cold with my cooties. I told her, this being Calgary the weather might change and we still might be able to do it. My parents are getting older and a 30 year old Poplar tree generates too many leaves for people who should have retired 10 years ago. Besides, I want to rake the leaves.


If the leaves don't get raked then I have appointed myself the official veggie cooker. My mum can deal with the Turkey and the stuffing... I don't want to mess with meat but veggies I can do and I can do them all. My mum usually only has time to throw a little butter on the carrots, a bit of butter and cream in the mashed potatoes and brown some pine nuts for the green beans. I on the other hand don't have to worry about the Turkey. I can go in and spend the time to make a red wine reduction sauce, create an appetizer of baked acorn squash stuffed with brown rice and mushrooms... bake scalloped potato's in butter and cheese. Mmmm...

and then I'll do the dishes.


I love Thanksgiving, it's like Christmas but with out the pressure. It's about two of my favorite things... Family and Food.

My, What Large Rings You Have

In this simulated image of Saturn's rings, color is used to present information about ring particle sizes in different regions based on the measured effects of three radio signals.
Photograph by: Handout, NASA/JPL

Astronomers have discovered a new mega-ring around Saturn. So far it is the largest ring identified in the Solar System, the circle starts about six million kilometers (3.7 million miles) from Saturn and extends outwardly by another 12 million kms (7.4 million miles), within the orbit of Phoebe.

Anne Verbiscer, a US astronomer dumbs it down for all of by stating "If you could see the ring, it would span the width of two full moons' worth of sky, one on either side of Saturn."


This new super sized ring is fainter then Jupiers "gossamer rings" which held the previous record for having the biggest rings in the solar system. Phoebe's ring is made up of mostly dust from rocks bashed off the little moon by interplanetary debris or other particles.

There is also suggestion from the team that this might explain the mystery of Iapetus, Saturn's bizarre two-tone, black-and-white moon.

"Astronomers have long suspected that there is a connection between Saturn's outer moon Phoebe and the dark material on Iapetus," said Douglas Hamilton of the University of Maryland.

One side of Iapetus is turning whiter, just as the other half is becoming darker. There is a so-called thermal segregation theory to explain this that suggests that the dark side of Iapetus, by absorbing more sunlight, is able to warm sufficiently to cause local water ice to evaporate. The vapour then circulates to condense on the nearest cold spot (the icy, bright side of the moon). As a result, the dark side loses its surface ice and there for becomes darker while the bright side accumulates ice making it brighter. Pretty interesting stuff!

Now, all I need is 38 million dollars so I can actually fly to space.

The War

I'm not sure if you are aware or not but there is a massive war taking place right this very moment.

My Immune System

vs.

Dirty Virus Sickness

It's totally intense and like most wars, very inconvenient. Someone (I suspect Immune System) pulled out a low blow with the allergy card- I mean, come one now I'm already down don't kick me when I'm there! Having cooties is enough but creating an allergic reaction to the cooties is just mean. Are there rumors of Weapons Of Mass Destruction or something? I appreciate the lack of runny nose and the no sore throat but painful burning, throbbing itching skin? For real? I don't think that's helping anything! As things were witnessed on Monday it sort of back fired. Jerks.

So, this is my peace cry... NO MORE ITCHY BURNING HANDS AND FEET, I'm not a baby... I don't need to get a random reaction with my sickness. I don't have a full time live in mommy to look after me. I don't even have a roommate. So enough is enough. I don't want to take Benadryl my whole life because spreadsheets are hard enough to work on with a clear head never mind a foggy, drugged up head.

Truce.

Boomer

I was off work yesterday so I could go to the doctor to get my sick/cooties/cough/blah checked out. My devoted and oh so lovely friend Laura was kind enough to get up early and take me. On our way back while driving down Memorial (one of the major roads in Calgary) which travels along the river we spotted a dog. This dog was large and running like, well, like someone left the back gate open! He had a leash trailing behind him and was having the time of his life! Laura and I look at each other and I say to her "Is that dog missing a person?" to which she replied "Yup" and pulled a 3 lane change and stopped the car. I jumped out expecting the dog to come running into my arms but he just went right on by and turned to start across the busy road. Cars were coming and I jumped on his leash. The dog came to a halt and Laura grabbed him by the collar. We looked around as there is a busy bike path thinking that someone must have just dropped the leash. Everyone just shrugged their shoulders so we put the mystery dog in the back of the car and pulled over into a parking lot. Laura checked his tags which had both his name and a contact phone number on it.

"Hi there, I think I found your dog. Do you own a 'Boomer'?"

The man on the other end of the phone was quiet for a moment

"Oh my goodness, you found him! He was with the dog walker and I guess he got away, I'm just on my way to the airport- you'll have to call her. I can't believe you found him, I am SO happy! I was just beside myself and even considering canceling my trip."

He gave me the name and number of the dog walker, I called as soon as I got off the phone with him. "He just got away from me, I can't believe he got as far as he did. Thank you SO much, I'll meet with you in 15 minutes"

Laura and I waited in the parking lot with Boomer who we discovered was really wet and smelly. I guess on his great escape he had taken full advantage of the river and had him self some fun. I was reminded of the story "Homeward Bound" and wondered if Boomer was missing his master and heading home. The Dog Walker arrived quickly and was so grateful that we had caught Boomer, we passed over his leash to her and got back into the car. As we pulled away we watched as Boomer resisted getting back into the car, he wasn't done running free. She got him in eventually and drove off with her car full of dogs- Boomer watching us with his tongue hanging out from the back window.

Locate

There are some things in life that I have always been aware of... the sun shines in the day, the night brings the dark and I am adopted. I am adopted. I'm fortunate to have always felt a part of my family, to me my adoptive mother is my real mother and my adopted father is my real father. I'm also lucky to have a good relationship with my birth mother to whom I see more as a friends; a sister. I don't know who my birth father is, all I do know if his name is John and he was short just like me. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I wonder about him, curious if he has a family and if I look like him. I know he doesn't know that I exist because he was gone before my birth mother even knew I existed. There are still moments though, all my life that when I walk down the street or hear the name John I wonder if this person might be my father. I never suffered from the jilted fantasies of a child that made him out to be a King or a movie star, to me he was always a man who may just happen to have the same nose as me.

It was a week ago that I had a dream about a woman, actually a girl. She was younger then me with glasses and mousy brown hair. In my dream I knew that this was my sister. That has been another fact I have known most of my life, I also have a half sister that is a few years younger then me. We share the same birth mother however due to circumstances beyond any ones control she went to another family and we all lost contact with her. Like most adoptions in the 80's once the adoptive child was gone, they were gone. You could not track them or keep tabs on them. It was the government and they had everything under lock and key, obviously out of respect for everyone involved. That's just the way things were done back then. The only things I know about her is she was named Christine (her birth name, her new family may have changed it) and had a condition that required her to get treatment on her eyes. A total treatable condition.

I have a good relationship with all my siblings even though there is a considerable age gap. I can't help but wonder if that tiny little void inside me that I'm always looking to fill might be missing my unknown half sister. Or perhaps that is just another thing that I am thinking might fight that really won't. Though my mind didn't wander much around my birth father I often made up storied inside my mind of the type of life I pictured "Christine" having. Pink dressed, Barbie dolls and a dimple on her cheek when she smiled. Even now I image her to be a stunning woman with a family of her own drinking coffee in her sunny kitchen on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Unaware of a whole other family out there that sometimes thinks about her.

A few years ago Canada changed some of the privacy laws surrounding adoptions. The birth mothers can send in their information to an agency indicating if they want to have contact or not. Once the adopted child is of legal age they can then access this information if they desire. No one has heard anything yet and I don't really think it's my place to really attempt to locate her, mostly for the risk that some people don't want to be found and some boxes are better left unopened.

photo borrowed from Flickr via Yahoo Image Search

Music Obsession Monday: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

This Weeks Music Obsession: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros,

It was in Laura's car that I discovered them, my ears caught hold of a catchy tune and potential for whistle-a-long. I was hooked. I am hooked. Hooked on a love song that seem as though it may actually be true:

Just delicious...

"...Jade, you remember that night you fell outta my window?

ya you came jumping out after me

well, you were bleeding all over the place and I covered your ass with your dress and we went off to the hospital, you remember that?

ya

well there's somethin I never told you bout that night

what didn't you tell me?

well, while you were sitting in the back seat smokin a cigarrette you thought was gonna be your last, I was fallin deep, deep in love with you, and I never told you till just now!

Home,

let me come home,

home is wherever I'm with you

Home,

yes I am Home

home is whenever I'm with you!..."

photo borrowed from Flickr

It's Coming

Tonight it's suppose to start raining and then by Saturday- snow. Welcome to Calgary weather 101. 2 weeks ago it was +35°C and now it's going to snow. It's lovely and makes for wonderful small talk, I'm sure things will be back to normal in a week or so and everyone will be wearing shorts again.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Hope you all have lovely plans for this first week in October...

Bitter Betty

That's what you can call me these days because I just haven't been eating sugar and it is killing me- KILLING ME! I'm a cookie a day, cake for breakfast, candy instead of afternoon snack kind of girl. The kind of girl that doesn't think any meal is complete without something sweet.

Truth: I kind of went over the top last month with goodies. Veggies and Fruit went flying out with window as did real cheese (I don't know WHY all of the sudden Kraft Single Slices seemed like the ideal indulgence- I'm a foodie... WTF?). It's kind of sad to admit that because this is the time of year that fresh food is most plentiful- just look at that damn horn of plenty that pops up for (Canadian) Thanksgiving during October. FULL of it but nope! Here I am shoving my face with cakes and pies and cookies and hot chocolate mix and candy! Cream sauces and breads, crummy cheeses (and some good cheeses), different types of salted and smoked meats- uuuhhh who took the "everything in moderation" out of that month. Indulgence was in high gear which left me with a bit of a cough.

I went to a nutritionist a few years back (whom I haven't seen in about a year either- tisktisk) and through all her wizardry taught me about sugar and what it can do to a persons immune system. It makes sense I suppose... My life was out of sync, sleep, eating and all that jazz felt as though I was trying to walk with books on my head across a trampoline with 3 other people jumping at different paces. I feel, I dropped my books and got sick.

It has been about a week and a half in which I've been off sugar, not 100%- I still eat yogurt that is sweetened, grace my intestinal track with ripe fruits and gobbled up one slice of pumpkin pie with homemade whip cream (please people, don't eat the stuff in the can unless you plan to do "Whip-its"). What I have put on the back burner are the cakes, sweets and cookies. The obvious stuff and to be quit honest it's killing me. KILLING ME! All I can think is Cookie Cookie Cookie ALL afternoon... Cookie, Cookie, Cookie... num-num-num...Cookie, Cookie, Cookie... num-num-num.

*sigh*

I have however been blessed with a really good threshold for tolerance. Not for all things mind you (people being late, inconsideration, slow walkers, etc) but for most things- it's worked in my benefit before and unfortunately it's working for my benefit now.

It's not like I want to or even need to loose weight, that's not what this is about. It's about putting my body back on track so it can live and function on the high energy level I am use to. Treating it the way it deserves to be treated because God knows (and so do some of you) I haven't always been kind to my body.

It not like I'm going to give up cookies forever or never eat candy again (or my mum's Christmas fudge- omg I want fudge now) but keep it at a minimal. Balance and moderation are the words that come to mind. I just really wanted to talk about this because it's been rather distracting, I can't seem to get my work done. It's like I've quit smoking or something...

Do you eat a lot of sugar? What's your favorite sweet treat?

Photo Borrowed from Readers Digest

PROOF: House Hippos DO Exist

We have all seen the ad for Concerned Children's Advertising about the House Hippos- I've even seen it and I haven't really watched real TV on a regular bases since 2004.

That is a House Hippo and today at lunch I discovered that they actually do exist. Perhaps not quit as cute, tiny and rodent like BUT...

there is finally some proof. Above is a real picture taken of a newly born pygmy hippopotamus from Rotterdam's Blijdorp Zoo. I've eaten mushrooms bigger then the little one!

To read more about this check out Mail Online

Talking Dogs

It was just yesterday that I was saying to Laura that I haven't watched the "talking dog" video in a long time. This is unusual for me because it's something that I tend to revisit at least once every few months. Regardless of the mood that I am in it can always put a smile on my face.

If you haven't seen it, then watch it (with sound) and if you have, watch it again:

Under The Weather

I've been under the weather since Friday. Actually, to be fully honest I have been dragging my sorry, virus fighting butt around for about 2 weeks. I have been SO tired that my sleep has been beyond out of character for me.

As a healthy woman I am bubbly, fully of energy, asleep by 11om and awake by 6 chirping away with the birds. I'm one of those annoying morning people that make night people angry. I don't drink coffee because a person like me does not need that much extra energy and I'll eat you out of house and home. I have a health appetite for a girl woman my size and I'm proud of it.

As a sickie though these last few weeks I've been floating around life in a zombie daze. I'm tired when I wake up, I'm tired when I'm at work and I'm tired when I'm sleeping. I couldn't catch up! I was down on myself, short tempered with my loved ones and just ready to throw it all in. The on Friday I woke up with a cough. A itty bitty tiny cough that had a bit to give. My bones ached that I swear when I moved I creaked like an old rusty hinge- but I didn't have a fever.

I slept 9 hours, 10 hours 13 hours a night while napping in between. Walking down the block was enough to put me into exhaust mode for the rest of the day.

I didn't want to be that girl who came to work sick (because I am pretty sure that is where I got this sick from) but it was important for me to be at work on Monday. I didn't have a fever and really- a side from a small cough (ask anyone- it's hardly anything) and achy bones my only hindrance was being so incredibly tired.

I'm not really sure what the point of this post is other then to complain a bit about being sick. Oh and to mention that if you are sick- stay home. I mean it... you are not doing anyone any good by coming to work being as sick as a dog. If you do come to work sick, tell people so they know. Don't cough into your hands and then give someone a cupcake. Don't go to cake day (the extra sugar isn't what your body needs to get better) and don't drink out of the creamer bottle no matter HOW tasty you think it is. If you are healthy and at work with a bunch of sick people- wash your hands, don't touch your face/ears/nose/eyes/mouth and stay in a 3 foot bubble. Eat a balanced diet, gets lots of sleep and stay active.

That's all- stay healthy! *cough* and wash your hands!

The Ol' Frontier

I'm sitting here listening to the CBC One on the radio and they just did a interview with Ridley Bent, a musician I once saw open for another band. He had a very particular style that I can't honestly say I never really warmed up to. Self described as "Hick Hop" he was hard core country roots with with a little Vanilla Ice mixed it. It was interesting but I give him respects for being who he was back then because that must have been REALLY awkward. He has since however moved to his more natural roots of good ol' fashion country music. He was performing a song called "Cry" which of course had to do with "that feeling you have the day after a break-up". Very Country music stereotype.

And then I got hungry.

All my life I've made the drive with either my parents of friends out to Vancouver stopping along the way at pit stops in small towns. The Huskey gas station in Golden, BC for Grilled cheese Sandwiches and jell-o, that ice cream place with the petting zoo and The Ol' Frontier in Revelstoke for Cinnamon buns. The Ol' Frontier was my favorite, even though it wasn't a classy joint and the cinnamon had raisins they always came hot and sticky from the kitchen. Not to sweet like those ones you get in the mall and definitely homemade by someones mother. Back then people could still smoke in just about any restaurant so the air was always a bit hazy regardless of if you were sitting in the smoking section or not. They always played country music in the background, the real stuff that most people can't stomach unless they grew up with it. This became such a tradition that I can't not hear a country song these days with out getting a craving for a warm from the oven homemade cinnamon bun even if they did have raisins.

Music Obsession Monday: Introductions

I've always said that music is the air to my life. There really isn't a simpler way to put it so with that in mind I want to propose something structured to my blog *gasp!*

Music Obsession Monday (aka: M.O.M.)

This weeks Music Obsession: Dala

I first came across Dala at another concert during Christmas last year. Honestly, it wasn't even a musical concert. It was a story teller called Stuart McLean who is featured on a Canadian radio station with his show The Vinyl Cafe (my adoration for Stuart is a whole other post). It's customary of his shows to have local unknown musical talent perform and more often then not, they are hidden gems that leave the audience speechless and wanting more.

Dala was one of those bands.

They had come on stage shortly after Stuarts first story. Two young women with porcelain skin, each with their own guitar. They were wispy in their presence as one of them announced "This song is called Hockey Sweater, we wrote it for a friend of ours who was mending from a broken heart..." Facing each other one of them started strumming a pretty tune being joined shortly by the other and after a few beats they softly started to sing. I've never heard anything like it in my life before, you may think that's an exaggeration but it's not. Soft, harmonious and innocent my whole body stopped so I could absorb every note; every beat. It sent chills down my spine. It was as though their voices were the only light in pitch black room.

They are currently opening for Chantal Kreviazuk on her Canadian tour which if I wasn't of sound mind would buy tickets just to see them again.

If you get the chance, see them... they are amazing live. The recordings just don't do these girls justice.

Photo : Life

500 Days Of Summer

This isn't a love story, it's a story about love...

If there was ever a movie I could say was like the inside of my head this would be it. The truth, the faith in fate and the bitter jaded feelings that just maybe love isn't real.

It mimics my beliefs about sad pop songs, love stories and greeting cards- that it does indeed make life complicated. That all the doting and lust that we ingest over popcorn and Twizzlers just sets us up for false expectations of what is reality.

And that perhaps there is something out there called fate, that maybe, JUST maybe everything does work out in the end as long as you allow it happen. Don't be shy of the truth. Loosen yourself form being stuck in fear and comfort to just live, everything will fall into place.

The Infectious Jenn Grant

I've been secretly coveting Canadian singer/songwriter Jenn Grant for over a year now, sorry to keep her such a secret I just couldn't bare to share her just yet.

Dreamer:

another song you must check out is called White Horses sadly though, there isn't anything on YouTube yet.

Whose Spider Is That?

A while ago I came across a post regarding an overdue account and a picture of a spider. It made me laugh so hard that tears were running down my face and lead the people in my office to think I am crazier then they initially thought. Over the last few years I've sent it to many of my friends who share my off kilter sense of humor. I forgot all about it until I was cleaning up my "favorites" links and found something titled:

I'll Spend Money On Drugs Instead

Enjoy.

Post and Drawing borrowed from Jane Voodoo Magic Money Lady

Thats Hot

This week Calgary is having record breaking weather- hot weather. With highs in the +30°C mark that's seasonally unlike us for this particular season.

and I am not complaining, it can never get to hot for me!

This morning as I stopped to enjoy the view from our reception area. I'm lucky to work in a building that towers above the city with panoramic views of the Rockey Mountains. The tree's are starting to turn as autumn is now in the air (officially as of 3pm Tuesday September 22), it is absolutely stunning. As my eyes wandered further south I noticed something hovering in the sky...

...a hot air balloon! I squealed with delight (if you know me in real life you know that isn't an exaggeration), I haven't seen one in years! I remember back in the day when I was 8 or 9 they had all types of balloons hovering over the horizon. They had the classic shapes with advertising for local TV stations and Realtor Companies. They they had an ice cream cone, a dinosaur and the Petro-Canada Propane Tank, it was awesome!

Gone are the days though of the fancy shapes in Calgary but at least there are still balloons. Though heights often bother me I could see myself enjoying a hot air balloon ride (though, really... that might be a BIT optimistic of me). I just looked into it and found out that other then getting a free ride if you buy a house from a certain realtor, you can float above it all for a small fee of $250 a person. That's totally do able!

Have any of you ever taken a ride in a hot air balloon?

Tie Me Up In Knots

It ain't pretty but it's mine. I made that... yes, THAT. I've been wanting to take up knitting and, well... I did. Friday Laura and I went out to the store with 4 things on the shopping list, knitting needles, yarn, yogurt and laundry detergent. I came home with all 4 plus more. Quickly putting everything away I sat down in front of the computer and logged onto YouTube. I searched for "Learning How To Knit" and watched a few tutorials. My goodness, I sat there for a good few hours trying to decipher the cryptic techniques- I had achieved "casting" but as for the "knitting" part I was lost. I kept ending up with a knot of knots...

I kept trying, and trying and trying and then everything got really clear. I knew what to do, or rather my fingers and thumbs did- pushing the needles in and out over and around I finally created my first knit stitch. It was kind of magical as images of scarfs, sweaters and slippers flew through my head.

I laid down 3 rows and went to bed, placing my knitting under my pillow with my book and cell phone. When I woke up the next day I quickly took it out to see what it looked like in the day light. It was messy but I was proud. I wondered if I still remembered or perhaps I had forgotten while dreaming.. I hadn't. My fingers, refreshed from the sleep flew through the movements with ease creating what you see above.

Sure, I dropped a few stitched here and there and yes, it was growing wider and wider and wider with every row. It wasn't perfect and that didn't matter for once! I unraveled it later on in the day and started over, it's much prettier but still had the strange issue of getting wider.

My intention is to keep working on it- unraveling and redoing over and over and over until I get the knack of it. My goal is to make a pair of slippers, I have an idea in my head of what I want so hopefully I can get to that point. I've enjoyed just knitting- somewhat meditative, Sitting in the morning sun and listening to John Denver- I really am my mothers daughter.

PS: I also want to make one of these! That comes later though unless my glue gun gets involved.

beard hats borrowed from Likecool.come

My Thoughts For Bronwyn

It is a strange and unfortunate situation; one day you are talking with a friend and then the next you are being informed that she has passed away. There was no lead up, no clue, no moment to prepare for the worst. Just gone. And though I haven't seen her in a few years, we talked often enough that now she is gone this largely over populated world of ours suddenly feels so vacant.

I was inspired by Bronwyn to live life fully, vivaciously and with beauty. Without hesitation and recklessness- a delicate balance that few can achieve. She taught me to capture moments and savor them. She taught me that children are the greatest gifts a person can have. She often told me that it was a waste for me to live in Calgary, that Edmonton was THE place to be.

I am still inspired by Bronwyn.

Though as tragic as it is for me to image that such a young, vibrant woman could have come and gone so quickly in life, leaving behind children and family. She didn't for a moment take it for granted, having touched so many people with her charm. She lived her life and she lived it well.

Bronwyn, my love to you.

PS: I promise to keep up our fight against the spiders *smiles*

Art Borrowed From Visionary Art Print Gallery

H. G. Wells: The Google Mystery Solved

As reported in recent post Crop Circles, Harry Potter and Google, Google has been trailing the curious along with their paranormal, unexplained Google Doodles (oh my goodness, off topic but the girl in the office across from me is sick- EEK! The poor thing hasn't stopped coughing since 8am. Go home, honey). WELL- the mystery has been solved! This is Googles homage to the late author, Herbert George Wells, known for such classics as The Time Machine and The War of The Worlds (pre-Tom Cruise).


As Google put so eloquently, H. G. Wells "encouraged fantastical thinking about what is possible, on this planet and beyond."


So Happy 143rd birthday Mr. Wells, I promise to eat some cake for you.

Redefining the Past and Present

It's funny when you catch a glimpse of someone who you see everyday in a structured environment and you witness them for the first time as they are in their "real life". It was like when I was little and would run into a teacher at the grocery store- amazed that they lived a separate life outside of desks and chalk boards. That they have weekends, relationships, good and bad days. I've had a similar experience with a girl at work, I've gotten to know her beyond work life over the last few months (maybe it's been longer then that) and she never stops surprising me. I don't mean that in a negative way in any sense, it's just human nature when you come across another person in life that you make up a story about who you think they are.


I thought highly of Chandara the first time I met her, the first thing I noticed about her was how beautiful she is. Long thick dark hair and the perfect complexion- it was hard not to notice this first. Conversation comes easy to her making her a warm and inviting person to share stories with, when her office was on my floor I could often be found chatting it up with her. Her "no bullshit" attitude was refreshing in a place that can often be full of company politics. We had gone out a few times with other girls from the office for drinks after work and always had fun. She is a real fire cracker.



I know Chandara is an intelligent girl- that's obvious... but her creative talent is her "outside of work secret". An artist, a creator of clothing and an entrepreneur- she is a true inspiration to me. She is fearless in everything she does and brimming with creative energy- she is a amazing.



She has started a blog just the other day:

Catching Up With The Past And The Present

and I am really excited to see where she takes it- already it samples just a pinch of her talent (check out the bridesmaids dresses she made! Nicely done girl!!!!) and sense of humor.

So here's a toast to Chandara, the girl who can do anything (except keep her shoes on)!

Friday Fire Story At The Office

Girl: "I want to to open this envelope but I don't have any steam to do that with"

Woman: "Put it in the Microwave"

Girl: "Good idea"

15 seconds later

Girl: "Fire!" and throws envelope in the garbage

2 or 3 minutes later

Woman #2: "There is smoke coming out of the kitchen."

Me: "What was happening?"

Woman #2: "Not sure, I just kept walking"

Me: "I'd better go to the kitchen!"

In Kitchen

Man: "I just got here"

Me: "I can't see anything- someone put the fire out"

-fire gets put out-

Me: "Holy!" Looks in garbage to see all this melted burnt stuff "What happened here?"

... the end.

This actually happened in my office just before lunch. Both the girl and the woman are intelligent, well educated women. The fun part is it smells like I've been camping.

What's the stupidest thing you've ever done?

Survivor Night

So I guess I shamelessly admitted that I was a Big Brother 11 fan a few weeks ago- thank GOODNESS that is over because now I can finally get some stuff done around here! September is in full swing and new shows are coming up and good shows are coming on- with September comes Survivor. With Survivor comes the Survivor Office Pool- how the HECK do I get sucked into these things?? Huh?? I guess it's just because I am a sucker. Last week, the woman who puts this together for us every season (The wonderful and lovely Jessica) sent out the spreadsheet with all the contestants to pick from. The people we pick are the ones who we think will win- each person we pick is $10 each and at the end of the season the persons who "person" survived till the end gets all the coin.

This year, I want that person to be ME. I am all alone in this game for the first time ever, a few years ago I aligned (yes, alliances exist in office pools as well) with my old old breakfast buddy and we made way with a small fortune. This year- it's just me.

These are my picks:

Russell H.

Reason for picking him:

He scares me.

Mick Reason for picking him:

He's kind of cute and he is a resident anesthesiologist (dream job)

So here's hoping for a good season and maybe JUST maybe I might watch it this year. I haven't watched Survivor since Australia and that woman Tina won it... EEK! Nice enough woman, but enough to make me NEVER want to tan again- ever.

Do you watch Survivor?

Who do you think will win?

Is it just me or does Russell H. scare you too?

My Lovely Lady Teeth

First of all , I have to give a shout out to my dental hygienist Tanya and my new dentist Dr. Markovich.

Freaking A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! WOOP-WOOP!

Second of all, on a more serious and disgusting note, I haven't been to the dentist since I my braces taken off. No one I know now OTHER then my parents knew me when I had braces... No one in High School knew I had braces. Do the math, I double dog dare you... alright FINE, I'll do the math- I haven't been to the dentist is 15 years.

15 years!

That all changed today. Obviously, because I went to the dentist. My tummy was in knots as I waited, thoughts of cavities (which I have never had), root canals and skin graphing danced through my head. I was expecting the worst but ended up wowing them all with a bit of build up and THAT'S IT!

LOOK MUM, NO CAVITIES!!!

They also found some wisdom teeth I thought I didn't have- I'm OK with that though... I want to keep those. In my skull. Please. I have to go back a few more times for some more cleanings (15 years IS a long time) and then I'm good to go like a normal person. A normal person with nice teeth.

Brush your teeth and floss- floss, floss, floss! And go to the dentist, it actually is not so bad!

• When was the last time you went to the dentist?

PS: Sorry about all the yelling, I'm just SOOOO HAPPY!!!!

photo borrowed from Flickr

A Boy Named Max

I was a wild thing as a child, often chasing the dogs around, drawing on the walls and pouring whole bottles of shampoo down the shower drain. Though I was never grounded or sent to my room without dinner, my mum would often "threaten" to throw me in the garbage. That suited me just fine- I was in love with the garbage man. Every Tuesday morning I'd pull one of the kitchen chairs over to the big window that looked out to the back alley and wait for the sound of the truck rumbling down the gravel lane. When he finally got to our house he always looked for me in the window (me a girl of 5 with hot rollers in her hair and a soother still in her mouth -blame my mum for that- and him a 30 year old garbage man.) and wave. I'd wave back, it made my week. I remember being SO impressed when my mum said she ran into him at the bank.

At that age I had many favorite books that I liked to have read to me, Go Dog Go, Barba Papa, Winni the Pooh, Where The Wild Things Are... just to list a few. Slowly though, I out grew them and graduated to J. R. Tolken in Grade 3. It wasn't until about a year ago that I caught wind that there was a movie being made of one of my favorites. 8 months ago I saw the trailer and it has been since then I've been patiently with the rest of the world for October 16th 2009.
For the release of Where the Wild Things Are:

Not only did I plan to marry the garbage man but I also had a crush on Max (the character in the book) and always though that his food (when he returned home) looked so delicious and I wanted to eat it.

Maybe that is where my infatuation with soup comes from.

Art: Ana Galvañ

Tomorrow is D-Day

D as in Dentist- EEK! I have an appointment at 9:30am tomorrow in the Calgary Tower. Why the heck is he in the Calgary Tower- he better not be up high with a glass floor, that would be totally inappropriate.

My new dentist... Dr.?? I forget his name- he works on my parents though and my mum SWEARS to me that he is gentle (two thumbs up to that!). It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't left it as long as I have. I floss twice a day, brush twice a day and all that jazz in between. I eat candy but that's OK... well my tummy says that's OK. I eat carrots too, and apples... yummy. And cookies but that has nothing to do with anything.

• Truth: I haven't been to the dentist in a really long time
• Truth: I don't want to tell you how long
• Truth: I'm really worried that because I've left it so long that there might be problems
• Truth: It's going to rain tomorrow
• Truth: I'm worried that I might have a cavity
• Truth: I've never had a cavity before (yes, I know- I sound like a 9 year old but whatever, I'm nervous!) so I don't know how to tell
• Truth: My teeth do not hurt now so I don't want them to hurt later
• Truth: Needles aren't scary to me so at least I have that going for me
• Truth: The fluoride thing IS scary, there is nothing more degrading then sitting around with those Styrofoam trays in your mouth as you suck the spit out of your mouth with the mini hoover.
  

So yes, hopefully the last dentist I went to __ years ago was right about me NOT having wisdom teeth. Hopefully they don't find any problems and other then a bit of a reseeding gum line on one tooth (too much brushing) everything should be fine... ?

Wish me luck- PLEASE!

I'll Have A Pint of the Ol' Butter Beer Please

OK, fine! I'll admit it- I am totally geeking out today! I magically came across an article in the Calgary Herald reveling secrets of the highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Florida. Holy Gnargle Droppings!!!

*drops to the ground in all kinds of magical excitement*

Referred to as a "park inside of a park", the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be faithful to those experiences and attractions that existed in the book. Visitors will be able to sample butter beer (yum!) and pumpkin juice (ew) at the Three Broomsticks Restaurant, relax in the Owlery and be fitted for a magical wand in Ollivander’s Wand Shop (!!!!). It's due to open this spring! Ooooooooo!!!!

Does this mean I can have an owl now?

Crop Circles, Google and Harry Potter

I am what I call an open minded skeptic; I consider all things though I don't always believe (Fox Mulder would be very upset with me). My sister gave me a documentary a few years ago called Star Dreams, it depicted the phenomenon behind crop circles and why the creators were so passionate about them believing them to have all sorts of mystic powers. It was well done and showcased some of the most intricate and stunning pieces of "natural" art I have ever seen. It created a lot of interest and curiosity for me in the subject, believer or not you have to admit that it takes some talent to create them.

This morning I went to my Google as I usually do, I was trying to find out an address for a place that sells good pie (or so I am told). I was intrigued to see that Google has a "Google Doodle"with a crop circles theme:

And I read the following post about it:
Google Crop Circles

Conspirators everywhere are vibrating in their chairs! What could it mean?? Why is the "L" missing?? What will next week bring!!

I personally am not really sure what to make of it and though I am have faith I could come up with some crazy conclusions of my own I am actually enjoying the fun that everyone else seems to having from it. I enjoy hearing about peoples creative ideas and what they believe in...

• Here is an interesting blog Circular Evidence that supports the idea that there is something more to the crop circles then being pretty designs in farmers fields.
• Here is a delightful article from The Skeptics Guide that writes recently about crop circle (and Harry Potter- WOOP WOOP!!!) art.

Regardless of what you believe stay opened minded to every aspect of life. As one very intelligent person once said to me:

"Stay open minded, but not so open that your mind falls out."

You Saucy Beef-Witted Boar-Pig

I am not really sure how I do it... some might call it genius, some might call it luck of the draw, SOME might even say "get back to work" but I have to admit there areI find some really strange and wonderful web pages.

This one for example:

Elizabethan Expletives

would make even Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette blush.

So don't be a weedy rump-fed puttock!

Picture borrowed of Kirsten Dunst from source on Google Images

Problem Solved

Say good bye to Duct Tape and toothpaste, this is the be all end all of DIY web sites:

There, I Fixed It

Oh the glory of creative thinking and problem solving mixed in with a few beers for added benefit. My DIY usually involves a glue gun or better- a credit card (buy a new one).

What sort of creative fixes have you come up with in a bind?