From Day to Day

Training Day

2010-05-11T12:47:00.000-06:00

So, today is my first official day of training for the half-marathon I've committed to walking this fall. We're meeting up at a specialty shoe store to learn about proper marathon-related gear and such, and then heading to a little nearby park to do some work on form and... well, something else form-related. I'm sure they'll remind me when I get there.

Anyhoo. I'm pretty nervous. I don't know anyone that is going to be there, and while I've dealt with similar situations before, I've never done so when I feel so much like a fish out of water. Hopefully the woman who ran the marathon information session I attended and who signed me up for this challenge in the first place (Kelsey) will be there, so that at least there will be one familiar face. And, hopefully, I'll have a lot of new knowledge thanks to the coach who is in charge of the physical aspect of our training (Brock). But we'll see! I might be so busy trying not to make a fool of myself that I walk away with nothing more than a faint buzzing in my ear!

The great and glorious masterpiece of

man is to know how to live to purpose.

Michel de Montaigne

b. April 29, 1982

2010-04-28T15:44:00.002-06:00

You might be wondering why I chose this particular picture for your first annual birthday bloggy post. That's an easy one! First of all, I heart it very very much because, well, it has YOU in it. Secondly, I think it perfectly captures elements of some of those things I love best about you.

Here are those things in a nice, tidy, and convenient list:
1. Your bravery. This picture was taken sometime during the 9 amazing months you spent in Africa, and while I may be moved to begrudge you that long time away from me, I'm so glad that you went and experienced something so fantastic. I know I will still be hearing new stories about those months for the years to come.
2. Your ingenuity! Finding a comfortable place to sleep when they were few to come by is no small feat, though I'm not sure HOW comfortable those accommodations were for you ;)
3. Your commitment to fashion, even under rough conditions. Isn't that the fancy watch Gerome got you?
4. Your love of music, and of the iPod, which has become an important tool of living to our generation. Some of my favourite memories of our friendship are when you've fitted one of your iPod earbuds into my ear, and the other into yours. Sharing something as everlasting and all-encompassing as music with you has been bliss.
5. Your adorable-ness. Hands-down, you're pretty much the cutest, something that is obvious to everyone - just look at you! Cutie-pie ;)
6. And lastly, your vulnerability. In this picture I see the sweet, soft, and childlike heart of you that I love so much, and that keeps me wishing that I could protect you from all the sad and heart-breaking things that you have, and will, encounter during your life.

There are dozens of other things I could list, other qualities you have in abundance that make you someone so close to my heart. But, you know I've already written all about them, in poems, notes, letters, emails, and Facebook comments. Oh yeah, and I've probably mentioned a few of them to you in person, too. There's no way you don't know that I love you, and that you're my best friend, and that you are someone who keeps me sane by keeping me laughing. But just because you already know those things doesn't mean I can't keep bringin' em up, and thanking you for them.

Thank you.

Oh, and happy birthday, Joshie.

Love Natalie

PS
One more thing... you are so much better of a hugger now than you were when we first met. Can I take credit for that?

Squiggy

2009-11-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

My coworker Cheryl adopted my boss's fish, but had to leave him here for a couple of days. I took it upon myself to amuse Squiggy today. I can't help but feel a real connection with the cute little guy!

Owl City

2009-10-19T12:22:00.005-06:00

2009-10-16T10:01:00.000-06:00

it's not me by Hawksley Workman

it's not me. i don't usually do this. i'm not normally like this.
so where have i been then?
it's not me. where have i gone? how long ago did i leave? can
anyone still see me? and who should i believe, is me? i'm sure that
by the water somewhere, among the broken things that gather there.
i might be found, safe and sound.
why can't i feel? the sadness walks around me. all the terrible
things that i see. how beautiful it's supposed to be, to me?

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

2009-10-15T15:10:00.000-06:00

Downward Spiral

2009-09-22T08:11:00.000-06:00

And things in my apartment building, which I pay a large amount of money to live in, continue to degenerate...

Flashback

2009-09-15T14:39:00.002-06:00

I am pretty sure that I can't get enough of this song.

On Philip Marlowe

2009-09-15T13:39:00.003-06:00

So, I'm working on my third Raymond Chandler in so many days... I finally requested the few novels of his that I hadn't yet devoured from the EPL and am spending much time losing myself in the wealth of words that man so graciously gave to the world.

Below is a passage I read this morning on the bus to work… I was almost completely thrown over by how perfect a passage it is. Philip Marlow is waiting to meet his client in a country-club bar when a beautiful woman walks in and stuns all the attendant men into silence.

“I stared. She caught me staring. She lifted her glance half an inch and I wasn’t there any more. But wherever I was I was holding my breath.”

I love how with such a careful hand Chandler tells me how his lead character is swooning over a woman he’s not yet met, while maintaining Marlowe’s absolute and indisputable masculinity. This latter achievement is especially important, as Philip Marlow is pretty much the epitome of manliness. He is strong, physical, and assertive when he needs to be, smart, funny in a sarcastic fashion, honest, and surprisingly moral. Naturally, he doesn’t swoon. He holds his breath, which is more than he’s done for any of the other dames he gets tangled up with. I know it won’t work out for ole Marlow because this lady is already married to the man he’s just been hired to find. But I’m curious to see if he’ll steal a kiss or two before the end of the case.

As a side note, I was just thinking about who would make a perfect Philip Marlowe on the big screen... I know Humphrey Bogart has played him, which is alright, but so has Elliott Gould, Danny Glover, and James Caan. Who made those decisions!? So, the first actor who comes to mind for ME is Clive Owen, of course. And, who is apparently already been tapped to play Philip Marlow in a screenplay by Frank Miller that is currently "in production"? Clive Owen! Yesss! I mean, YES PLEASE! Now, all that's left to do is hope that the movie actually gets made!

Roomies

2009-09-14T09:21:00.001-06:00

One minute, she's Scary Spice, the next

just a sweet little pillow-hogger. Sigh.

Bagheera looks like I took a tube of lipstick to half his fur, but that's just the sun bringing out the red in his fur... so handsome :-)

Left Foot

2009-09-14T09:17:00.000-06:00

How kids in Edmonton wave to passing traffic.

Cupcake Fever

2009-09-11T15:45:00.001-06:00

I have a very specific idea of what the night ahead is going to include. There will be some window shopping, there will be some good eats, and above all, there WILL be a cupcake. Maybe two. After the hour and a half work meeting I just sat through, I have very well earned the bliss that only a cupcake can award.

Just consider my expertly-wielded nunchuks and my menacing expression (which you can't see, but I'm sure you can imagine) a warning to any and all who threaten to interfere with these plans.

Highly Relevant

2009-09-11T10:28:00.001-06:00

I was floating around in the blogosphere when I came upon the site of one Natalie Dee http://nataliedee.com/. She makes very funny things, one of which had me doubled over in giggles a few seconds ago.

Year of the Flood

2009-09-11T10:12:00.004-06:00

I am really excited for the release of Margaret Atwood's new book. Even though it's precursor, Oryx and Crake, was never at the top of my reading list due to the uber-depressing subject matter (I'm no fan of post-apocalyptic futures), Year of the Flood sounds really interesting and I'm probably going to pick it up on its release date. Until then, I've been tiding (heh heh) myself over with visits to the website:

http://yearoftheflood.com/ca/

Wake Up!

2009-09-10T15:20:00.002-06:00

The amount that I love this song cannot be measured by human means.

LoveLi

2009-09-09T16:10:00.000-06:00

Shine On

2009-09-09T09:49:00.000-06:00

For those days you just don't feel so special...

Copstash Standard

2009-09-09T08:24:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, as I was walking to City Centre Mall after work, I crossed paths with an East Indian mother pushing a stroller with a two year old in it while badgering her eleven-year-old to get away from the fountains. I couldn't help but notice that said eleven-year-old had enough hair above his upper lip to be described as the young-adult version of a full moustache! This led me to wonder two things:

How do you spell moustache? and...
Is it considered a good thing by an eleven-year-old boy to have a substantial representation of facial hair? I mean, is it cool? Or is it embarrassing? When this kid walks down the hallway at school, does he get those nods of approval that only the cool can dole out, or does he get held upside down in the boy's toilet for swirly after swirly?

Sign-ian Slip?

2009-09-09T08:12:00.000-06:00

The first time I saw this sign I thought it said "PLEASE SOD OFF" so now every time I pass by it I giggle quietly to myself.

Up On the Roof

2009-09-08T14:38:00.008-06:00

Work is a little taxing today... much to learn this week, as I take on Rotation 4 for the first time. I like learning new things, in theory - but man, tackling new information is exhausting! That, and I'm approaching my third month back with the government and that familiar restlessness is slowly taking form. Times like these lead me back to one of my all-time favourite songs. I've loved it since I was a kid, when it took me out of my world and into another more wonderfully solitary one.

Enjoy!

Pretties

2009-09-08T08:11:00.008-06:00

I woke up earlier than my alarm this morning, and after a quick potty break was about to dive back under the covers for another blissful 45 minutes of slumber when I my eyes were treated to the most beautiful sunrise coming through my window. It was one of those types of sights that is so unbelievably gorgeous you literally cannot move your gaze away without feeling wracked with guilt for taking nature's natural beauty for granted and knowing in some mysterious way that at some point in the subsequent hours of the day you will be smote down by god, having been deemed unfit for life. So, no going back to bed for me.

Then, on my way to work, I passed by some very pretty flowers, and again, pretty sure that if I didn't take a pic it would be the last time I'd ever see a pretty flower AGAIN, I made a fool of myself in front of the construction workers and city maintenance men wandering around near City Hall looking for something to do, and snapped a couple of shots. Love the lovely colours on what is, for all intents and purposes, a Monday morning.

Copyright!

2009-09-06T21:13:00.000-06:00

I am making this following list of my very favourite girl names in order to prevent my brother and his very sweet and extraordinarily lovely girlfriend Abra from stealing "my" names for use on their own currently-imaginary future children. I've already lost two names to my cousin Erin, and in one fell swoop (Olivia Claire IS an adorable little girl, though, so no hard feelings), and I can't let that happen again! In no particular order after Grace, here are my five favourite girl names that I am considering for my future female offspring:

1. Grace
2. Ivy
3. Madeline
4. Anne
5. Lily

Girl, Interrupted

2009-09-06T20:59:00.002-06:00

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, I felt ridiculously embarrassed by how self-pitying I came across in my long-winded blog entry of a few weeks ago. My subsequent regret at prying open the ole emotional vault and letting it all spill out like icky entrails led me to decide that my sole recourse was to put the whole mess under lock and key. But, hey, where's the fun in that? I hope that you can forgive me for my earlier self-indulgence, and that you'll please keep reading. And, comment every once in awhile, even just a hello, so I know that you're out there tuning in when you're able and/or interested.

Bleeding Love

2009-09-06T20:41:00.002-06:00

This love thing is trickier than I thought it would be...

(Frog) Prince or Pencil Sharpener?

2009-09-06T20:28:00.002-06:00

To distract Nikoli from the unforgivable torture of having to wait for his mom to buy him some socks so that he could play in the McDonalds PlayPlace I gave him my camera to fiddle around with. Along with several unflattering photos of yours truly, he snapped this one of my little pencil sharpener. Nice work, kiddo!

So long, summer...

2009-09-06T20:17:00.001-06:00

Why I Left

2009-08-18T14:39:00.000-06:00

So, about two months ago I left my job as a proofreader at local publishing company. My departure surprised my boss/friend, in such a way that I wonder if – Facebook birthday invitation aside – she really is my friend anymore. I thought I’d write a little bit about why I left, because, well, I don’t care if anyone who reads this dies of boredom.

There were a few factors that influenced my decision to return to my previous job at the government. Firstly, the economy. The publishing company I was at had already gone through one round of lay-offs, and a second round was imminent. Now, I like my security. The reason I left the gov’t in the first place was because I was only employed in a wage position, and not a permanent one. When I started at JWP and became privy to the whole merger/layoff business, I was like, um, huh? But that was months before anything really came down, so whatever. I figured I’d just wait and see what happened. So, when things got really serious, and actual layoffs started happening, I kinda panicked. And then, when the second round was hinted at, I panicked even more. And, just as I was reaching the apex of my panic, my old boss called and asked me if I wanted to come back. To the government. Safe. Secure. Though my boss, my boss’s boss, and my boss’s boss’s boss all assured me that my job was completely safe, I knew that someone in my department was going to have to go, and it wouldn’t have felt right if someone that I worked alongside, who had been there two, three times as long as I had, was laid off in my place. Call me strange, but my years in retail have ingrained the whole ‘longevity’ idea in my head… you know, first in, last out?

Secondly, anyone who knows me relatively well knows that I am very close to my Auntie Carol and Uncle Bob. They have done so much for me throughout the years that even if I spent the rest of my life kissing their feet I couldn’t fully pay them back. My Auntie Carol’s best friend holds a very prominent position with the Alberta Government and it was her who first got me my job there. Though, I like to think that while she got me the interview, I was the one who got myself the actual job, and kept it. You know, with my excellent work ethic and all. When I quit the gov’t to go to JWP, my Auntie was shocked, and was never happy that I made that decision, even though she appreciated why I did. So, during our weekly get-togethers, as news of the changes at JWP came out, my Auntie got more and more concerned. When I told her that my old boss had called me to ask me back, she was euphoric, and she really encouraged me to take the opportunity to return to the gov’t fold. Now, while this kind of pressure from a relative might not seem very healthy, or helpful, my Auntie Carol and Uncle Bob have filled a very important position in my life… they’re my surrogate parents. This might not be something that many people who read my blog can relate to, having fully functioning, relatively sane parents themselves, but my parents are, well, not exactly good representatives of their roles. I mean, my dad, when I was 16, moved to Lethbridge for work and then didn’t communicate with us for a good three months – we had no phone number or address for him, and he just didn’t call. Then, after my parents had been divorced for a few years, he remarried, and not only did he not invite my brother and I to the ceremony, he also didn’t tell us about the happy event until about a year after the fact. Also, my dad doesn’t know where I work, what I do, what’s important to me, and that for the first time in my life, I’m in love with someone who is in love with me. And my mother? Well, where do I begin? My mom had taught me how to mix her the perfect hi-ball before I was 12. She actually encouraged me to drop out of high school so that I would be able to work fulltime and help pay our rent. Over the last few years she’s developed a fondness for the whole booze and pills technique of attention-getting, and over a six month period I spent about 30 hours in emergency waiting rooms before I just stopped going. I’ve had to clean up my mother’s feces when she'd passed out and lost control of her bowels thanks to the laxatives she'd been taking to aid and abet her anorexia, have called in sick for her at her work, and was once woken up in the middle of the night by her fumbling at my door before throwing it open, slamming against the wall, and then collapsing face first into the carpet beside my bed. So, having two adults who actually care about me, and who have never lied to me, or manipulated me, or neglected me in any way, is something that I treasure. When they feel strongly that something is in my best interest, I respond to it much the same way other people respond to the suggestions of their parents. That’s why, when my Auntie Carol tells me how worried she is about me, and how she doesn’t want me to be without work, and how much more secure a government job is compared to working for a private company, I listen.

And, lastly, I really do like the work here. It’s stress-free, deadline-free, and fun, in some bizarre way.

As for why I left so quickly, it’s not because I “hated” anyone there. Obviously not – I love everyone from JWP. And I miss them, because, well, it was nice having a group of people around me with a similar sense of ironic humour. Plus, nobody at my current job reads OR cares about Dooce, or The Bloggess. My last Friday at JWP was just a really terrible day. Ever since the news that I’d handed in my notice had been circulated, I felt really awkward, and out of place. I may have been overly sensitive – okay, I probably WAS -- but it felt like I was being treated differently by people I thought were my friends. And, nobody was making any gestures to show otherwise. Then, when the lunch hour came around and a group of coworkers (friends?) went out for lunch without inviting me, I got pretty upset. There’s always a twinge of wanting to be included in things, but this just seemed about a trillion times worse… I didn’t want to be there for another week of similar emotions. So, contrary to cutting my notice time short because I hated my coworkers, I did it because I cared about them so much that not feeling like I was one of them any more – even if it was by my own design – hurt a lot. And, the subsequent lack of contact with my favourite friend has been even worse.

If it is any consolation, my current bosses are both idiots who like to talk to their staff like we’re in kindergarten; nobody here trusts eachother, and thinks everyone else is a spy sent in by upper management; and my job situation, thanks to the Alberta Government hiring freeze, is more unstable than if I’d just stayed where I was! So, there you go.

The Fulfillment of Fantasy, But at What Cost?

2009-08-10T14:01:00.000-06:00

On Saturday night, around midnight, I finally turned off my radio and climbed into bed. What is it about settling down for the long sweet haul of sleep that suddenly brings in to sharp focus every single noise being made in a two block radius? Not until I had rested my head on my pillow did I notice (okay, so I was really distracted beforehand) that there was some sort of domestic dispute going on in the apartment next to mine. There was a chick yelling and swearing, and then a dude yelling, though at a much lower decibal, back. So, having grown accustomed to such things in my year living just off Stony Plain Road, I popped my flourescent orange earplugs in my ears and drifted off to sleep.

Speed forward a couple of hours to about 2am when I am jolted awake by the sound of blood-curdling screams coming from the above-mentioned neighbouring apartment. I've actually wondered before about where the term 'blood-curdling' actually stems from. Well, now I know. It was SCREEEEEEAM. Half a second pause. SCREEEEEEEAM. Half a second pause. It sounded like the woman next door had been strapped to a table and was being systematically hacked into by a man with a hatchet. Or a woman with a hatchet... you never know. So I fumble around in a blind panic (literally, it was really dark) and dialed 911, shaking like a leaf and wondering if I was going to get through in time.

I've only called 911 once before, and I can't really remember how it went, but this time I had to go through the main operator, telling her what was happening in a frantic voice, only to be passed through to the police. I'm sure this is efficient, but what the hell? Really, do I have to explain the situation twice? I can only hope that the second person I talked to, from the police division of 911, had dispatched officers right when I was first patched through. Anyways, I tell him what's happening, and he walks me through everything very nicely and patiently, and then tells me that help is on the way. Yay! So, just as I hang up (the screaming has been continuing this whole time) the horrible shrieking stops, and turns into a chick yelling and swearing, and a dude yelling back.

ARRRRRGH. Needless to say, no murder was committed. In fact, as soon as the police started knocking on the door of the possible victim, all sounds ceased and the cops were questioning whether or not I had the direction of the sounds right. But, after I assured all five (FIVE! Woot woot!) of the manly officers that yes, indeed, the screaming was from next door, it sounded like it was right in my freakin' ear, they went back over and I can only assume that they settled things because I did hear a murmur of strong and official voices through the wall.

I just have to say that this kind of shit really pisses me off. Because, first of all, I had to spend (after already spending a half an hour perched on the edge of my bed, cellphone clutched in hand, ears perked for the sound of further violence) another hour and a half trying to calm myself down. Second of all, the time and effort of five very nice and kind police officers was wasted. And third of all, just, ugh. And for what? Because some stupid assholes decide to get drunk and start a fight with eachother? For all I know, that chick was screaming because the dude was packing up his shit to leave.... I sure as hell would have, from the sounds of her. So, now, even though I guess I did the right thing, I'm going to be less likely to follow the same course of action the next time sounds start coming from that direction, a) because it's likely to turn out the same way and I'd really just rather not lose the sleep over it again, and b) because I really just don't give a fuck.

I Want One!!!

2009-07-24T14:50:00.000-06:00

Sweet Tooth

2009-07-24T14:46:00.000-06:00

Flood

2009-07-24T14:34:00.000-06:00

Josh, Kent, Lorraine, and I saw The Acorn perform at MacDougall United Church last night. They were opening for Bell Orchestre, so only played for about a half an hour, 45 minutes or so, but they put on the most incredible show we could have been there for 10 hours and not felt it! Except for the insufferable heat, that is. How they managed to achieve such a fullness and complexity of sound on a rickety little stage has me in awe of the band's abilities as musicians and performers. I'm SO glad we went :)

I love love love this band. And, I love love love the song that they are playing in the video above, called "Flood". If the camera work is a little shaky, that would be because a) I was trying to record with my camera while also watching the performance itself and couldn't find a comfortable way to position myself so that my arm didn't fall off; and b) I couldn't stop moving in my seat (pew?) because I was so caught up in the music!

Oh, and, my camera cuts out at the very end so I didn't catch the last minute. But, you get the idea. Buy their music. They are AMAZING.

What's My Name Again?

2009-07-23T09:38:00.000-06:00

One of my coworkers, a very verbose and irritating older woman who makes me grit my teeth whenever she tries to talk to me, just came around and gave everyone an updated list of phone numbers, one that now includes me, to tape on their phone. Apparently, she decided that her time would be best spent doing something useless and inane, rather than on doing her actual work. Well, my gaze just fell upon the list, which I've determined I am going to ignore, and I couldn't help but notice the name Nadia on it. Which is weird, 'cause there is no Nadia in our department.

Oh, but wait... there's no Natalie on that list. And, if I'm remembering correctly, Nadia is what this coworker used to call me all the time during the three months I worked here last summer. Hmm.

So, as I sit here and eye the little slip of paper, torn between cringing and laughing, I wonder - do I say anything? Or, do I just let it be?

Srsly?

2009-07-16T15:12:00.000-06:00

I can't believe you people don't know who Pitbull is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tTr0Uf0Akc

b. July 15, 1981

2009-07-16T10:35:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to me :o)

b. July 8, 1983

2009-07-15T10:22:00.000-06:00

If someone had told me back on that fateful day when Dani interviewed me for a job at Carlton Cards that we would one day be best buds, that she would be someone I share all my secrets with, and that we would even travel to VEGAS together, I don't think I would have believed them. But, sure enough, that's what's happened. Working in retail again would not have been bearable if it hadn't been for Double Deuce, and life as I know it would not be halfway as fun if she wasn't a part of it.

Dani, you make me laugh with your crazy sense of humour, and of course, all those times you're just being your unintentionally amusing self ;) You are so sweet to me, and all the little thoughtful things that you do and have done to make me smile are appreciated more than I could ever express. You have the most beautiful smile of anyone I've ever known, can BS with the best of 'em, rejuvenated my appreciation for BSB, and are the perfect mixture of maturing adult and child-at-heart. If this was a yearbook, I'd write "never change"... and I'd mean it. I love you, pretty girl! And if you ever change our plans for an imaginary date again, I'm going to scratch your new blue iPod! And tell Nick Carter that you have Syphilis.

Room With a View

2009-07-15T10:19:00.000-06:00

I got to work early this morning - as usual - only to spot my coworker thoughtfully decorating my work station in celebration of my birthday (is that today?)... so, as not to spoil the surprise, I went and hung around outside for a bit and enjoyed the quiet of the early hour. This was the view from where I was sitting... yay for sunshine!

On Music

2009-07-14T16:23:00.000-06:00

As a lover of musicians who are always evolving, growing, reinventing themselves and their sound, I find it absurd to think that one song could encapsulate the soul of a band. This is especially true regarding any band who has released 8 studio albums, a greatest hits album, a music video DVD collection, and a live DVD. But, I’m feeling ballsy and emboldened in my soon-to-be-even-older age. I’ve been a fan of The Tea Party since that fateful day in 1997 when I stumbled across a MuchMusic showing of their video for “Temptation” , and after falling instantly in lust with the song, and the incredibly attractive (to me) lead singer, life as I knew it changed forever.

Am I being a littler melodramatic? Sure, but while my tastes in music may have changed over the years, and while my love for the group has ebbed and flowed, their albums have remained the mainstay of my music collection. I could identify major emotional highs and lows over the past 12 years solely by going through the playlist for each of The Tea Party’s albums. The ties between the band and I constitute the most committed relationship I’ve been in, to date! And, it is this that I feel allows me to offer as a précis of The Tea Party’s musical personality one song:

Mantra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkO4P2fuScc

I can remember seeing The Tea Party perform this song live at the Shaw Conference Center. My brother and I were right at the front, mere feet from the stage. Our arms were bruised from being looped over the metal barricade and gripped tightly as we fought the rest of the people jostling for our prime position.

And then... Mantra came on and everyone else ceased to exist. The video above doesn't do the song justice, but then again, neither does the album version. It's a song that needs to be heard live... which, sadly, is no longer an option.

Could You Be...

2009-07-02T14:07:00.000-06:00

the most beautiful girl in the world?

I know for sure that I'm the luckiest.

Snapshots from the Clarke Family Holiday

2009-07-02T13:22:00.000-06:00

Lianna, her son Nikoli, her sister Dejah, and her brother Logan, all came in from the Northwest Territories to visit this past week. The days and nights have been so full I've barely come up for air to check in with real life, and I'm definately not complaining (though my somewhat neglected kitties might be). We walked Whyte Ave (though Dejah kept us in the same store for literally over an hour!), checked out the shifting festivities at Winston Churchill Square, took on West Edmonton Mall, investigated City Centre, rode the LRT, went to a movie, danced a night away at Play, watched the Canada Day fireworks, experienced the consequences of a misbehaving child and then got to see him be genuinely remorseful, withstood sibling conflict, lost a hotel room card, sang some songs, watched some cartoons, did a lot of laughing, saw a real English Sheepdog, utilized our cellphones fully, and most importantly, really got to know eachother.

I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye tomorrow...

Dejah and Nikoli on the big boat at Galaxyland

Logan and Dejah posing at the bus stop

Mom and son walking down Whyte Avenue

Cheeky monkey!

Nikoli, watching for fireworks from Auntie Dejah's shoulders

The Clarkes, on our way to Canada Day fireworks :o)

Nikoli's "Blue Steel"

Pleeeeeeease, Mom?

Lianna and her young man on the rollercoaster at Galaxyland (for the 3rd time)

Dejah enchants another Edmonton admirer

The Legislative grounds on Canada Day

All Hail The Bloggess!

2009-06-26T10:22:00.001-06:00

So, I follow the blog Cake Wrecks here on Blogger, and the author of said blog put up a post about this site that is doing blog awards: http://www.socialluxelounge.com/blogluxe/

Anyways, she wants to win the 'funniest blog' award, which is cool, cause it is a pretty funny blog. BUT, before I voted, I thought, maybe I should check and see if The Bloggess is nominated -- and she is. So, sorry Cake Wrecks, but while you may be sweet and entertaining, I gave my vote to The Bloggess and will be voting for her every day until the end of the day on July 6th, which is when voting closes.

I'd like to put out a call to anyone who reads my blog who ALSO reads The Bloggess and recognizes that while Cakewrecks has cake, and puns, and such, Jenny The Bloggess is the funniest woman alive, and deserves to win every award that's available to her. So, go and vote for her... now!

And, if you don't read The Bloggess, you'd better start! Seriously, people. Funniest woman ever!

http://thebloggess.com/

Date With Big D

2009-06-25T13:25:00.000-06:00

Dani has a date with a guy named Jordan tonight and is SO nervous about it that she wants Lianna and I to go to the same Second Cup where she is meeting him. The idea is that we would not actually acknowledge her, but that my girl and I would simply sit and have coffee while Dani and her date are having coffee. So, on the first day I get to see my girlfriend in over a month, she wants us to hang out at a Second Cup and watch her get macked on by some random?

This whole plan is amusing to me on several levels, not the least of which is the opportunity I now have to post a horrible pic of Dani here to aid me in the process of making fun of her...

Despite what the above image might lead one to believe, Dani is a beautiful girl - which she sort of gets, but not in situations such as this, where she is arranging a date with a guy who she has met via internet resources. I'm confident that she'll be fine... but I'm still going to see if Li is willing to play along with Dani's request. After all, how can I resist the chance of seeing Double Deuce in action?

In Search of Home

2009-06-25T13:23:00.000-06:00

My favourite part of my job – which I’m pretty sure I’m okay to blog about – used to be entering divorce documents. I don’t know why… I mean, they’re pretty depressing, really. But I liked getting to see pictures of the people involved, and I liked competing to be the data entry operator who entered documents for the shortest marriage ever… oh, and I liked to see the age differences between the couples… that was occasionally VERY interesting.

But, all of the family law-related documents are on the provincial side now, so I don’t get to see anything along those lines, any more. My second favourite kinds of documents used to be the affidavits of value… they are the documents that are done by home appraisers who go in to a house that is being repossessed by the mortgagor and determine the worth of it. I like those because, again, they have pictures. But, I’m finding that I don’t enjoy entering these as much as I used to. In fact, I’m finding that they make me sadder and sadder, because firstly, there are A LOT of them. Which means there are A LOT of people who are in the process of losing their home right now. It’s not really a surprise that this is happening, as when Edmonton had its big boom and housing costs skyrocketed, everyone was saying how in a couple of years all the people who purchased homes at those unbelievable prices weren’t going to be able to keep up with the payments… and, I guess its true.

When I was in high school, my parents filed for bankruptcy and we lost our house. At the time, I guess I wasn’t as upset as I would be now because I was more happy that my parents were finally getting divorced. I guess that’s what happens when you witness the kind of relationship that my mother and father had with eachother… divorce, losing the house, losing our dogs… it was all okay *lol* But, when I think about it now, when I think about having a home, making a home, and then having circumstances change and having to face the prospect of losing that home… its terrifying!

I’m pretty big on the idea of ‘home’… ever since we moved to Edmonton when I was 12, I really haven’t felt like I’ve had one. After we lost the house we moved so many times it was really hard to develop any sort of connection with any of the places we lived. Even now, knowing that come May of next year I’m going to have to move again, I can’t really feel like I’m putting down roots. Which is what really makes me feel bad for these people who are losing their houses… they thought they would be able to make a home for themselves, and it didn’t turn out that way, after all. That’s gotta be pretty heartbreaking for them to deal with.

Hanna's Hard Rockers

2009-06-24T18:52:00.000-06:00

Don't judge me, but I'm listening to Nickelback right now, and I'm TOTALLY enjoying it. Why am I listening to Alberta's favourite rock'n'rollas? Because my brother is folding laundry, and the condition of me getting to check if my grapes are ready to harvest was that we listen to his music while I do so. Nickelback is pretty much as good as it gets when it comes to my brother's music collection. Ha ha! Just kidding ;) He does have an extensive playlist of Mariah Carey songs.

But, seriously, I like Nickelback. Obviously they aren't 'known' for making zeitgeist-y, relevant music that will teach future generations about life as we know it now. And that's fine - not all music has to have a deeper meaning. And yes, I say this because I heart Britney like nuthin' else. Nickelback is just... fun. Except the song about the abusive father. I don't like that one - it's not fun at all.

The first - and only - time I saw Nickelback in concert was the summer when they were on the cusp of EXPLODING with "How You Remind Me." They put on a totally great show, and had everyone going crazy. And let me reiterate - this was before they were huge. So, it wasn't just the result of having thousands of fad followers... they really do have that special something that makes people love them.

And, when I say "that special something" y'all know I'm not talking about Chad Kroeger's hair. I mean, when is he going to figure THAT out?

Music :o)

2009-06-21T19:05:00.000-06:00

Favourite songs of the moment:

1. I've Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
2. When Love Takes Over - David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowlands
3. Alright - Shiloh
4. Zero Gravity - David Archuleta
5. Her Daddy (Don't Like Me) - Grand Analog

Age of Aqueerius!

2009-06-18T19:54:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday was the Edmonton Pride Parade (yes, TD, we realize you sponsored the event, but you don't OWN it) and it was SO fun. I wasn't feeling ultra-festive, but fortunately my best friend knows when I'm trying to wiggle out of a social engagement and refused me my out (heh heh). Anyways, I'm incredibly thankful that I was there and part of something so amazing and fun and so full of life, love, and colour!

It was especially meangingful that I was there because, while I would have gone anyways to show my support for the members of the GLBTQ community that I love, I'm also a member of that community and felt especially proud to be there. Which is what the day is for :o) I just wish my Lianna had been there, because it is the one time of the year when we could have held hands on Jasper Avenue without feeling like it might not be a good idea.

Am I the only one who doesn't feel that this float offers an extra bit of incentive for joining Team Edmonton sports club? Tee hee ;o)

Josh's good friend, and my friend too (though I haven't seen him in forever!) Sean was somewhere on the Queer Bus... a good friend of HIS owns The Empress Ale House, which hosts Beers for Queers. Apparently it's super fun, and since it's practically right down the street from me, I'd better make it there at least once this summer...

I loved this float! So bright and rainbow-licious!

Loved this one, too... for the same reason as the pic above :o) Colour and balloons and smiles and boys in speedos! Yum! The guy in the blue one put on a little show for spectators at the beer garden at Winston Churchill Square!

Yum! Suckers are the perfect Pride Parade treat :o)

Well, except for the obvious eye candy ;o) My two favourite boys sporting their Pride Day beads!

Return of the Mack

2009-06-18T19:43:00.000-06:00

Poor Bagheera... after having a blissful week of being the only cat on the premises, his rival for our human affections, Asia, was returned to the household in the same kitty-carry-bag we sent her away in. She's spent the last few days stalking Baggie like he's a beetle, alternating between hissing and moaning at him as if to re-establish her position as the dominant feline. As if Bagheera would put up a fight... he possesses the most gentle nature of any creature I've ever come into contact with.

So, instead of his usual carefree excursions through the apartment as he goes in search of some tummy rubs, ear scratches, snicky-snacks, or plastic crap to chew on, Bagheera has returned to spending most of his time laying in the shady spot under the futon, safely away from Asia and her claws. But only for awhile... when Steve and Abra move out/in together, they're taking custody of the big guy - and he'll love it!

Summer Snow

2009-06-18T19:39:00.000-06:00

Someone could spend a lot of time making wishes on all this dandelion fluff :o)

Cheese!

2009-06-18T19:37:00.000-06:00

I'm a Broken Heart

2009-06-14T22:02:00.000-06:00

Word of the Day

2009-06-09T14:43:00.000-06:00

lusus noun (in full lusus naturae) a freak of nature. [Latin]

Bits and Trips

2009-06-09T12:08:00.000-06:00

Contrary to popular opinion, Farm Town isn't the ONLY thing that's kept me from updating my blog of late. Truth be told, there's been quite a few things happening in my little world - quite a few things involving quite a LOT of emotional turmoil. I tend to shy away from any sort of creative expression in times like these... firstly, because my general mood always taints everything I touch. And, secondly, I need space and a serious amount of elapsed time before I can get enough perspective on things to be able to share about them.

So, yeah. To avoid incomprehensible ramblings, I've simply avoided writing anything at all. But, today I'm feeling a tad gregarious, at least in a bloggy-type-way, so decided to put forth an update, of sorts.

This is the face of an allergy sufferer. See the redness under my poor little achy nose? PITY ME!! It's been about two months of constant sniffles and sneezes now, and I'm about ready to hang up my hat and just plain call it a day.

Someone started a fire in the dumpster behind my building. At least, I assume someone started it. Intentionally. Because I think everyone around me is secretly an arsonist. Waiting to slice open my achilles tendons and set me on fire when I least expect it.

Josh and I went to Elephant & Castle last Friday. I got the Bangers 'n' Mash because it sounded fun. When it came out, the first thought I had was, I need to get a picture of this for Kelley because this meal would make her ill on SO MANY LEVELS. So, here ya go, Kelley :o)

And, at some point when I wasn't quite paying attention, Edmonton bloomed... and along with it, my heart.

My OTHER Job

2009-06-08T12:51:00.000-06:00

For those of you who don't share an office with me and have yet to be subjected to my new favourite hobby, allow me to introduce you to...

Farm Town! Above, you will see "me", or at least, my Farm Town alter ego, cleverly named "Natalie" to disguise my true identity. Next to "me" is my new goat, given as a gift from one of my Farm Town "neighbours" some time yesterday. His name is Billy. Obviously.

Below, my farm :o) Please keep in mind, people, that it is a work in progress. Even now, I have roses and carnations blooming, and a field of sunflowers to tend!

The newest addition to my farm is the barn... it sure does add something to the scene, doesn't it?

And, here "I" am again, this time flanked by my spotty dog. On the other side of me is my water well. Sure comes in handy!

So, yep, I'm sure into Farm Town. Gives me something fun and completely inconsequential to occupy my time with, and for that, I'm thankful.

Blame the Economy!

2009-06-03T13:52:00.001-06:00

Dani and I went shopping at "THE MALL" last night (which everyone who is anyone knows is referring to West Edmonton Mall) which was fun. For the most part. I'm incredibly poor right now, and not at the height of the self-confidence game, so a pretty forceful and clamoring part of me kept insisting that I shop and spend money (that I do not have) because buying things makes me feel happy. But, I couldn't buy anything to make me feel happy, because I have no money! It was a very difficult outing. Fun, because hanging out with that kooky Doube Deuce is always a good time. But, you know, difficult. For those other reasons.

Anyways. here are the Top 5 Things I Wanted to Buy Yesterday But Couldn't Because I Have No Money:

1. Tote bag from Old Navy

2. Frame from Anthropologie

3. Halter top from Ricki's

4. Ring from American Eagle

5. T-Shirt from Old Navy

That Time of the Year

2009-06-02T07:57:00.000-06:00

As most of the people in my life have been made very aware of in the past couple of months, I am an allergy sufferer. And, while having seasonal allergies is nothing akin to being burdened with a serious illness or disease, it is not a walk in the park, either. In fact, there are few things that are as capable of eroding the self esteem of a woman as allergies. After all, it if incredibly difficult to feel attractive when you are not only experiencing allergy symptoms -- the itchy, watery eyes; the scratchy throat; and ah yes, the runny nose and sneezing -- but reinventing them, which is what it feels like I have been doing. When my left nostril has turned into a faucet and my eyes feel like they've swollen to twice their natural size, I have to wonder how it is that anyone can even bear to look at me, let alone reside alongside me in the same office, apartment, or even concert hall.

So, then I woke up this morning and found a weird blotchy bit on the side of my right cheek bone. Either a spider bit my cheek and laid eggs under my skin. Or, I'm pretty sure the transformation into mutant is complete.

Sigh.

Recent Entry?

2009-05-27T14:22:00.000-06:00

Schlong noun (also shlong) slang the penis. [Yiddish shlang from Middle High German slange (German Schlange) 'serpent']

Just thought I'd post this because I only found out just now that this word was actually included in the dictionary.

64 Bomb!

2009-05-27T13:06:00.000-06:00

Today's lunchtime adventure took the intrepid members of the JWN Lunchtime Adventure Club to the Sunrise Cafe, a little hole-in-the-wall mom-n-pop-shop conveniently located directly across from the neighbourhood high school. The location of the Sunrise Cafe is a key feature of what the little restaurant has to offer. Obviously, it has food: chicken burgers, BLTs, and grilled cheese sandwiches, to list a few of our own selections. It also has ambience: a late-70s model organ (yes, the instrument) sitting dormant in the corner, tables illustrated with cattle-branding icons, mismatched plastic chairs, and random pictures framed and hung on the walls. But most importantly, it has class. If, by class, I mean tables full of high school students on their lunch break.

Definitely the place to go if one wishes to study the youth of our species. There was the the table of seniors, all looking tough and slick and at least four years older than their fellow lunching students, who left shortly after we had placed our orders. There was the younger 'cool' kids, a collection of boys with textured bangs falling into their eyes and girls in blue tank tops who were still coming to terms with their changing bodies. And, of course, there was the ubiquitous table of nerds, and when I say nerds, I am not doing the word a disservice and using it out of place. These kids were everything I would have avoided back when I was their age. I mean, I wasn't cool, but I WAS on the up-and-up, in that purgatorial middle place where all the nice girls and boys with brains find themselves slotted.

So, obviously, the nerds were the only people in that place with personality. Therefore, they became the featured entertainment for the lunch-hour. Not, of course, that they were aware of their newly elevated status. The six or seven boys, all with various hair lengths both on their heads AND on their faces, were zealously involved in the playing of a game that I had initially thought might be Magic: The Gathering, but ended up being something much more juvenile. Fortunately, Kelley knows her kids trading-card action games, or we may never have known that they were playing (?) Yu-Gi-Oh.

Some of the comments we heard: "But I can't fight, I'm in a wall!" "Meow is the sound that turtles make." "Quack quack goes the zebra!" "All I wanted was a large fries, man." "I don't owe him nothing, that's bullsh*t."

And etcetera. It was amusing, but more in that you-had-to-be-there kind of way. I had a good time :) But apparently, we don't get to go back :(

b. May 26th, 1983

2009-05-26T18:23:00.000-06:00

My brother. There are so many things I could say about him, and oh so many stories I could share. But, for once, I'd rather NOT embarass him. So, I'll keep it simple. Stephen turned 26 today. He is starting his last stretch at the University this fall, is in love with the girl of his dreams, and has learned to cultivate a handsome beard. For someone who used to be such a little stinker, he sure has grown into quite an impressive young man. I may whine and complain about him at times, but Stephen has achieved so much in the last few years, it takes me aback, every once in awhile. Usually when he drops a four-syllable word in a sentence. I can't get over how much he's grown, and how many times he's impressed me with his intelligence, and his strength. We've been through a lot, my kid brother and I, and if I'm doing half as good as he is, then I'm a-okay.

Stephen is going to be a great husband, father, and teacher, though perhaps not necessarily in that order. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to watch him do so.

Happy birthday, kiddo! I love you :o)

Spring!

2009-05-26T17:23:00.000-06:00

Everything seems to be changing so quickly - I walk by a bud one day, and a bloom the next. These pretty flowers decorated a tree alongside the path I walk to and from work. They were so beautiful I had to try and get a good picture of them... they made me think of someone special ;)

Addict

2009-05-25T15:02:00.000-06:00

Sigh. I really need to get this monkey off my back. Maybe I should take up gambling?

Freckles

2009-05-24T10:35:00.000-06:00

So, so many of them.

Bee!

2009-05-23T13:28:00.000-06:00

The screen that fits into our kitchen window is missing one of it's little holdy-in-er things, so when I open that window it is literally wide open. Bagheera came close to falling out of it once, even! But, you know, other than the slight chance of injury to the cats, it works out alright. Except, today, as I was eating my egg sandwich, the most ENORMOUS bee buzzed THROUGH the open window and IN TO THE APARTMENT. Not moving half as slowly as I should have been, I jumped up from the couch and slammed myself against the balcony doors in terror. The bee did it's lazy buzzing dance around the light fixtures in the kitchen, and nearly caused me to crumble in hysteria as it flirted with entering the living room. Thank the lord it didn't. Eventually it slowly zzzzed and swung its ginormous body back towards the open window, and then through it. I raced across the room and slammed the window shut, my heart beating like crazy. And then I shuddered one of those whole-body shudders that run through you when you've just witnessed something truly horrifying.

As I sat back down to finish my lunch, I tried to figure out what it was about bees and other insects and arachnids that so effectively struck terror into giant human beings. And I think I came up with something. See, bees don't speak English. I mean, I can't just say to the bee, hey dude, you're creeping me out and invading my life space - can you just, you know, leave? I can't just tell the bee that he's freaking me out, and I'm liable to act all crazy if he gets any closer, which is exactly what I would do. And when I start acting all crazy-like, I can't say, well Mr. Bee, this is all your fault! Instead, the bee thinks, danger and danger, and is liable to come and sting me! And you know, it's just a huge big matter of miscommunication!

Where there exists a language barrier, there exists a huge element of unpredictability - you have no real idea what the other creature is about unless you can find some way of telling eachother just that.

*shudder* It seriously was the biggest bee I have ever, ever seen, though. Truly terrifying.

Jimmy Crack Corn

2009-05-22T14:54:00.000-06:00

I have developed a deep appreciation for kettle corn of late, which I lay at the feet of my lovely Lianna... she had mentioned that she liked it, so I picked up a bag for us to enjoy during her visit. Sadly, we never got around to opening it, but Tuesday, in an act of reminiscence I decided to have it to myself. Yum! Every handful is like a surprise party for my tastebuds! I'm kept forever on the edge of my figurative seat - will this piece be salty? Or will it be sweet? The one dreadful thing about ANY kind of popcorn, though, is those annoying little slivers that get stuck in your teeth!

Can-struction

2009-05-20T07:37:00.000-06:00

Was in Southgate Mall yesterday where they are holding the annual can-shape-fundraiser-food drive competition thingy. I quickly got a couple of pictures before anyone milling about noticed and (heaven forbid!) took me for a tourist ;) My favourite is the bridge, but Atlas is pretty awesome too. Except, his eyes make me think of Wall-E! Just me?

Big Bird

2009-05-20T07:34:00.000-06:00

Waiting for the bus with my mother on Sunday, I couldn't help but noticing that wandering around near us was the fattest pigeon I have EVER seen! Recalling that a certain someone enjoys this particular breed of bird, I thought I'd snap a picture of it before it waddled out of view.

View From the Top

2009-05-19T15:21:00.000-06:00

So, thanks to some construction going on at the Coast Edmonton House, Lianna got a free upgrade to her suite. The result? This totally sweet view! Pretty beautiful, isn't it? Having someone visit from out of town really got me to view the city from a totally different perspective... instead of just passing through the usual kind of scenery, I got to experience every sight and sound through refreshed senses. Truthfully, there really isn't any other city I would rather live in than Edmonton. And, I feel pretty lucky that I get to call it home.

Of course, there are some things (or some ones) that other cities have that would entice me to make a move I wouldn't otherwise consider...

Fashion Police

2009-05-19T15:15:00.000-06:00

Okay... so I kinda made her wear it and then pose for a picture. But seriously! That hat is pretty awesome in its awfulness! Doesn't detract from the prettiness of the girl beneath it, though ;)

Top Ten Barack Obama Plans To Fix The Economy

2009-05-14T12:37:00.000-06:00

From the Late Show episode aired on Thursday, January 08, 2009


			Encourage tourists to throw spare change in the Grand Canyon

			End our dependence on foreign owls

			Sell New Mexico to Mexico

			Put a little of that bailout money on the Ravens plus 3 at Tennessee. Come on! It's a mortal lock!

			Rent out the moon for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs

			Lotto our way out of this son-of-a-bitch

			Appear on "Deal or No Deal" and hope to choose the right briefcase

			Bail out the adult film industry -- not sure how it helps, but it can't hurt

			Release O.J. from prison, have him steal America's money from China

			Stop talkin' and start Obama-natin'!

Thoughts

2009-05-12T15:20:00.000-06:00

Do you ever get the feeling that there is a furry caterpillar crawling across your rib cage? It's so weird.

Also, I hate Alberta weather. Why can't the rain wait until I'm home before falling? That way, I stay dry, and the farmers get their water. Hopefully there won't be rain the rest of this week - Edmonton needs to put her best face on for my visitor :)

And, it's going to be difficult to resist my seasonal urges this spring. Well, at least in regards to cyclists. As I believe I may have mentioned to some, when being passed by individuals on bicycles I have to fight this nearly overwhelming desire I have to kick their tires and send them sprawling face first across the pavement. It is an obviously unhealthy longing, but it continues to grow stronger year after year. If you're going to be travelling on your two-wheeler through my neighbourhood, you'd better watch out.

Ha ha. Just kidding.

Jungle Moc

2009-05-12T10:36:00.000-06:00

Waiting at the bus stop this morning, I was randomly engaged in a conversation by an older gentleman standing at my stop. The topic of said conversation? My shoes. He asked me how I liked them, and when I responded that they were the best pair of shoes I've ever owned, he went on to tell me how they are a great shoe, and that he sells a lot of them (I imagine he works in a shoe store?). He then went on to say that he's had a pair of them for going on five years now. Which let me to reminisce about my own pair.

I believe it was mid 2005 when I first purchased my pair of black Merrell slip-on shoes, size 8 and a half, from the Coast Mountain Sports in West Edmonton Mall. Nearly four years later, I'm still wearin' em, for better or worse. These shoes have carried me through a LOT. They were my work shoes at Chapters, where I was on my feet for at least seven hours a shift. They were the shoes during my year at Adtel. They lasted the eight months of retail aerobics at Carlton Cards, my stint at the gov't, and my seven months at JWP. I've walked countless miles in these shoes OUTSIDE of work. If I could have worn them at the gym, I would have. As it was, they came with me on hours-long walks throughout the city, on sidewalk, street, and grassy stretches. I've worn them through rain and sleet, through the hot months of summer, and the cold, wet, snowy months of winter. They've been soaked through, muddied, grass-stained, clumped with sticky snow. And yet, they've lasted. They've been to movies, concerts, on dates, numerous shopping expeditions, nature walks, family visits, to the homes of friends, to bowling alleys, on airplanes. I've experienced the full range of human emotion while wearing these shoes, which makes them far more than just an item of practical use.

Now, I can recognize that my shoes are nearing the end of their long journey with me. The leather is worn and faded, the seams are loosened, and small holes are appearing. But, I am not prepared to part ways with them yet.

Girl Power

2009-05-08T12:13:00.000-06:00

My favourite music in the last little while seems to be coming from female artists - how refreshing! It seems like there are periods in my life where all I listen to are dudes, dude-bands, etc. But not of late! Here are my top five songs for 2009 so far:

1. If I Can't Have You - Kelly Clarkson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5cpJSV5QM
2. Ruby Blue - Roisin Murphy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjROtu0ajR0
Roisin Murphy has a wicked, wicked voice and a crazy personality! I chose this video because you can hear the song really well, which is the point, plus these random dancers are kind of fun to watch. But if you want to see Roisin Murphy sing it, there are a bunch of live performances on youtube. Just don't judge her by her outfits!
3. Hoedown Throwdown - Hannah Montana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlnbmZK7GxU
Can't help it - I'm addicted!
4. L.D.N - Lily Allen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p_V0y7C9vc
I kind of love Lily Allen, and this song is adorable and catchy and fun and cheeky. Plus, the video is fab. If you like it, check out this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYb9pkJqZf4&NR=1
5. Breakable - Ingrid Michaelson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgZ_tu8s5Wk&feature=related
It is awfully hard to pick one Ingrid Michaelson song as a favourite because I pretty much love every single one of her songs and she has fast become my favourite female vocalist. Enjoy!

A Dani & Natalie Vegas Home Movie

2009-05-04T20:09:00.000-06:00

I might get killed for this one...

Little Shadow

2009-05-04T19:48:00.000-06:00

This cat has been following me around non-stop since I got home. Yesterday I was using the computer, which is in my brother's room, and had closed the door for a little privacy. She happened to be on the other side of said door, and FREAKED out. She banged her little body against it and meowed the shrillest, most plaintive meow I've ever heard! It was crazy! But sweet. :) I love this cat. She's the only one in this apartment who has shown any happiness at my return, so how can I not be moved by her attention?

Best Part of Waking Up

2009-05-01T15:38:00.000-06:00

I got a package in the mail today! Weeehooooo! But I'm not opening it just yet... I love to savour the anticipation!

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

2009-05-01T15:12:00.000-06:00

So, I've decided to think of Dani and I's recent vacation as the "Trial and Error Trip", with a strong emphasis on the error part. Before we left, we were subjected to a fusillade of advice on how to survive Las Vegas. Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, bring comfy shoes, and stretch before heading out! Well, not the last one, but someone SHOULD have said something! Not that we would have listened, 'cause we didn't listen to any of the other advice, either.

Our first full day we spent walking the part of the strip with New York New York, Excalibur, and the Luxor. We also explored Paris, and our own resort. While our shoes weren't 6-inch high stilettos, they might not have been the best choices for hours of being on our feet. As a result, by the time we made it to the Bellagio that night for our first view of the fountain show, neither Dani's feet nor my own were in good shape. I will say, though, that while my left foot required 3-blister-bandage treatment, Dani's poor tootsies did most of the suffering:

By Tuesday morning our feet were a little bit better, thanks to a tub soaking and many medicated bandages. Unfortunately, the rest of our legs decided to fuck with us (pardon my French) by seizing up and stiffening oh most awkwardly. We ended up hobbling around like gibbled 90-year-old's.

But on Wednesday, our bodies were almost back to normal. Feet? Good! Calves? Good! Best part? It was pool day! Or, at least, pool half-a-day. After switching spots once, we nailed some prime real estate around the pool and commenced sun tanning and splish-splashing. The cool water of the pool sure came in handy as the sun was so hot I swear my hair was sweating. I'd take a dip when I couldn't handle the relentless weight of the sun on my skin any longer. Then, refreshed and fortified, I'd lay in the sun a little longer. Unfortunately, sunscreen comes off in the water. Even more unfortunately, sunburns have a tendency not to reveal themselves until AFTER the fact. The following is a picture I took of myself in the sun, an hour and a half or so before the screaming agony set it:

When I got out of the bed today, it was the first time I could bend without wanting to scream in about 24 hours. Is the face above one belonging to an idiot? Some days, yes. But, on the plus side, Las Vegas IS an amazing city. We saw so much that was so unbelievable, and that made the suffering worthwhile.

Travel Picture How-To

2009-05-01T14:52:00.000-06:00

This is what happens when you let someone else take your picture. Ew! But... unfortunately, this is actually what I look like! Pretty much warts and rolls and all. Sigh. The bad part of coming home after a vacation is looking at how fat you are in your pictures! Ugh. Who wants to see the real me?

That's why I have perfected the art of the flattering self-portrait! The key to a satisfactory image of one's self? The right angle, scope, and perspective. Showcasing the strong point of your figure is ALSO helpful...

On The Way There

2009-05-01T14:47:00.000-06:00

Just a picture I took from the plane on the way to Las Vegas. The little winky glint at the top is the moon. It was just a sliver then, but on the way back last night/uber-early this morning the moon was a huge gorgeous crescent. I would have snapped a pic of it but my camera battery was dead and Dani's camera was tucked away in her carry-on. I would have asked for her to dig it out but she was pretty busy freaking out in the seat next to me. A little turbulence managed to turn her into a wreck in mere nanoseconds... which, as far as sights go, almost made up for not getting a tangible memory of what it's like to fly alongside the moon.

Bedtime

2009-04-25T22:07:00.000-06:00

Mundanities

2009-04-25T21:29:00.000-06:00

Ahhh. I have just sat down after being go-go-go all day today. I was at 8am to meet my Godparents for breakfast. They're my surrogate parents, so I can't really complain about getting my ass out of bed for them. After some delicious pancakes at Route 99 they dropped me off (I seriously would have walked, but it was snowing and my Auntie Carol and Uncle Bob refused to let me brave the elements!) and I took care of some things around the apartment while waiting for Josh to call me for our date today. Then, he monopolized my time for the next few hours, my favourite part of which was our lunch at the Upper Crust Cafe. Yum yum yum!!!! I love it there so much! Thanks for treating, Joshie ;)

Then, after I got home, I REALLY went to work. I cleaned up the entire apartment (save for my brother's room), INCLUDING the bathroom (ugh), and the kitchen. Everything is spotless, which makes me feel ridiculously pleased with myself. How domestic of me! Maybe I WOULD make someone a good wife after all ;)

Then, once my surroundings were cleaned, I set to cleaning myself in preparation for departure tomorrow. The whole grooming process took me a couple of hours and a LOT of water. If I am single-handedly responsible for Edmonton running out of hot water, I would not be surprised. Tee hee. So now I am fully smoothed and lotioned and pinked and buffed! Woot. :)

Now, I just have to pack! *lol* Sigh. If only I could stop listening to the Hoedown Throwdown over and over again I might be able to remove myself from the computer...

I Dream of Genie

2009-04-25T17:22:00.000-06:00

My friend/coworker Marisa has a page-a-day calendar that features fun little activities. Sometimes, when she takes a particular liking to one, she photocopies it and passes it out to the rest of us to do. This is one we did a couple of weeks okay, that I never got around to posting, but that seems particularly fitting today:

I suppose that since I AM going to Vegas (Las Vegas, not that other one) tomorrow I should be asking the genie for safe flights and hitting the jackpot, but I still wouldn't change a single wish.

Farm Town

2009-04-25T11:09:00.001-06:00

So, I joined this adorable new application-slash-game on Facebook called Farm Town. You get a patch of land on which you can plow little gardens and plant things like grapes and tomatoes and rice. So, my potato fields are 98% done, which means in another 2% I need to harvest those potato fields, and then either store the potatoes in my storage shed thingie, or sell them at the marketplace. If I DON'T harvest those potato fields in time, then they go to waste.

I'm sitting here, waiting for my imaginary potato fields to finish growing, before I let myself carry on with my un-imaginary day. This is either quirky and adorable, or just plain sad.

Geography Lesson

2009-04-24T15:16:00.000-06:00

"My hands are so dry the backs of them look like the Safari Desert."

Dani Desjardines

Las Vegas

2009-04-23T15:03:00.000-06:00

Top 5 Things I Want to do in Vegas

1. Spend an entire day suntanning by the pool!

2. Enjoy a soft pretzel from New York New York!

3. Spot a celebrity!

4. Attend the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur!

5. See the fountains at the Bellagio!

No Words

2009-04-22T19:35:00.000-06:00

I first read about the Baiji dolphin, nicknamed the "Goddess of the Yangtze", in Douglas Adams' book "Last Chance to See" a couple of years ago. The book, published in 1990, follows Mr. Adams and a zoologist named Mark Carwardine as they seek out five or six different endangered species. It's hilariously written, as everything else by Douglas Adams is, but it is also incredibly sad, as while Adams shares several amusing stories of his fish-out-of-water experiences in foreign countries, he also shines a floodlight on the effects of human civilization on the wild.

I've been re-reading Last Chance to See for the past week or so, and have such a deep appreciation for Douglas Adams for what he accomplishes with it. He had such a very honest way of looking at things. I admit that given the graveness of the subject matter, I tend to prefer focusing on the lighter bits in the book, as my friends and coworkers can attest to after being inundated with facts about my favourite creature, and quotes and anecdotes from the writer that I find particularily funny. But, it becomes really hard to look at things with any sort of humour when I come to the chapter about the Baiji. This creature's story is so heart-breaking that I can hardly bear it, so I'm not going to go into detail.

Just now, as I've done with the other birds and animals that are featured in the book, I looked up the Baiji to see how it is doing. It has been 19 years since Last Chance to See was published, and in it Douglas Adams describes the conservation efforts happening to save the Baiji from becoming extinct. Since my favourite fat and flightless parrot is doing a little better now than it was, with a population that has more than doubled in the last two decades, I had high hopes.

Unfortunately, I'm now a wee bit devestated as in 2006 the Baiji was declared functionally extinct after a six-week search by scientists resulted in no signs of any surviving dolphins. The last confirmed sighting of one was in 2002. Though there is some footage of what might be a Baiji was recorded in 2007, according to the definition of 'functional extinction', there is no hope for the species. No hope.

Worst of all, according to what I read, the extinction of the Baiji is the first of a well-studied cetacean species to be directly attributable to human influence. Which really, really breaks my heart.

Big Sky

2009-04-22T19:08:00.000-06:00

I took this while I was waiting for the bus after work today. I love those days when the sky just seems huge and robust, full of whatever it is a sky can be full of.

New Addition to the Family

2009-04-20T15:10:00.000-06:00

This is Toitle, the turtle. He was a gift from my good friend Dani, and is pretty much the most adorable inanimate object EVER. I was feeling very sad and woeful yesterday, but some retail therapy with Double Deuce and her Easter/Yay its Spring! gift to me brightened my spirits exponentially. Thanks, D!

Sweet Confetti!

2009-04-20T15:06:00.000-06:00

Raining on Sunday

2009-04-19T12:19:00.000-06:00

Sundays are probably the one day of the week where I feel the most, I dunno, out of sorts, I guess you could say? It is usually the day where I have little to nothing to do, and while that can be a good thing - especially today, as I feel like warmed-over poo - it can also work against me. A restless mind doesn't need so much time on its own!

The morning didn't have a great start as I woke from a dream that stirred up some old emotions. You know, the kind that are better off avoided until you can afford the therapy you'll need to get through them? I'm not sure where the dream came from - possibly the peanut butter sandwich I had just before bed. Regardless of it's origin, these old memories and feelings and possible regreats have managed to stick with me since I first opened my eyes, and has weighed a little heavy on my heart.

Then, after getting up, I bid a quick farewell to my brother as he left to meet up with his new sweetie before heading in to work. The whole 'my brother having a new sweetie' thing is definitely not the problem... she sounds great, he deserves to be happy, and I selfishly hope I get to meet her before she leaves the city for the summer. What does make me sad, though, is that he gets to meet up with this girl, sit across from her at a table in a coffee shop, talk with her, hold her hand, kiss her good-bye... he gets to be with the girl who makes his heart swell and spin, and, well, I don't. And the four-year-old inside of me who wants what everyone else around her has stamps her foot and says "not fair!"

This would be the part of the lamentation where Kelley would say, "That's what you get for liking someone who lives in a different city." She'd also have a few other choice things to add to that, but she's still working on the FULL lecture so I shant get too far ahead of myself.

The point IS, I get lonely on Sundays. And I don't like being lonely.

Windy Day

2009-04-18T09:53:00.000-06:00

Video II: The Science of Skin

2009-04-18T09:39:00.000-06:00

The other night I was just about ready for bed, but wanted to do another video first. So, I combined the two and made a video while in bed! Tee hee. I thought maybe I would read another piece of my writing, so I chose a poem that I wrote in my first year of college.

I can remember the act of writing "The Science of Skin" so clearly - I was sitting in the cafeteria at the Center for the Arts campus, taking up time before a class, just sitting there in one of those uncomfortable plastic chairs and trying to avoid the distraction of table-top graffiti while doodling words on a fresh clean sheet of paper. I don't know which particular combination of vowels and consonants sparked the creative wave that tossed the flotsom of the poem ashore. I do know that it is one of my favourites. It is also the poem that my teacher, Jannie, made me read to my poetry class, after which she firmly rebuked me for doing such a shoddy job of it. Hopefully I did the rhymes better justice this time - and that my inexplicable lisp doesn't reappear!

John William Waterhouse

2009-04-17T15:09:00.000-06:00

This was the first painting I saw by John William Waterhouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Waterhouse). It was featured in a medieval romance calendar and, true to form, I completely fell in love with it. Then, while working at Chapters I came across a coffee-table art book of all his works, and went through a period where all I could do was rhapsodize about the beauty he created. I much prefer realist art to abstract art (MUCH) so the fact that each of his subjects seems as if he or she could step right out of the canvas appeals to me greatly. I love that he uses such lush imagery, so much beautiful colour... his paintings are so passionate, but elegant. I also adore that most of his works are based on either mythological characters and stories or characters from epic poems and other forms of literature. His paintings of Ophelia are soul-stirringly gorgeous.

My all-time favourite, though, is Boreas:

Every time I look at this painting (at least, the pixelated version) I can feel the brush of the wind across my cheek, the texture of the billowing fabric sweeping against my arm... I can hear the rush of the breeze through the long grass, and imagine the slight warmth from the overcast sun. I also find a little of myself in the melancholy expression on the woman's face - though obviously she's much prettier and as perfect as all of Waterhouse's subjects - because whlie she looks a bit sad and a bit lost, two emotions that I can relate to, she also looks like she feels an awful lot, and if there's anything I do, and do well, it's feel.

New Song Love

2009-04-16T15:05:00.000-06:00

"The Stars Just Blink for Us" by Say Hi. It's not a real video, just the song played over a picture of the album cover. The song is the important part, anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYyrJ3NCNX8

Oh and the stars, oh and the stars, they don't make no fuss...
Oh and the stars, oh and the stars, well, they just blink for us...

Budding

2009-04-16T09:41:00.000-06:00

Tuesday Wrap-Up

2009-04-15T08:33:00.000-06:00

I'm rather in danger of posting a list of all the ways in which I am currently feeling sorry for myself... but am doing my best to resist! Instead, here are some pics from my walk from work to the bus stop last night:

Here we have an unusual sight... for the past week or so there have been these two teal bikes, attached to each other, and missing their rear wheels, just sitting here at the head of the path! I'd been meaning to take a picture of those alone, but then yesterday there was this NEW addition - a rainbow-coloured bike, missing it's FRONT wheel! I didn't look to see if it was still there this morning, but something tells me it was.

Random!!

So, I eventually move on and am walking further down the long path when a person merged on to it with their dog. I say person because I really couldn't tell if they were a man or a woman from my particular vantage point. The reason I mention this, though, is because as soon as the dog (a little Jack Russell Terrier, I think) caught a whiff of another human within a 30 foot radius he went on full alert! His human kept having to tug him along 'cause every few dancing steps that he took he would stop and turn around to look at me! It was so cute! I still had my camera in my hand so I zoomed in a HUGE amount (seriously, I was pretty far back - the zoom on my camera is AMAZING) and snapped this photo without even really looking to see what I was capturing (I had to be quick in case I got caught!)... and this is what I got:

I couldn't have timed it more perfectly!

Dogs are so great. Seeing this little guy made me think of a message I just received from someone very dear to me... she was saying how she wishes that people were more compassionate to others, more good to others, and I couldn't help but think that maybe people should be more like dogs. Loyal, endlessly loving, full of an almost physical sort of empathy and concern, bright, curious about the world around them, and eager to say hello to everyone they meet. Of course, I'm describing an ideal dog, but you get the idea. Ah, well. Maybe I just really really really want a dog.

Then, when I got home, I was surprised to find a package for me from my good friend David. He's the program director at the University of Victoria's campus radio station, and I had called in a month or two ago to donate to their yearly fundrive. Anyways, in lieu of a tax receipt I asked David to send me something from the station's 'Small Room of Big Prizes', anything that he thought I might like. And this is the first half of the treats he is to send:

I'm so excited to crack these open and listen to them! David has crazy taste in music, and we don't cross paths a lot in what we listen to, but he has a pretty good idea of what I like, so I can't wait to hear what he picked out for me!!

I will admit, though, I had this very infinitesmally small narrow sliver of hope that the package was from someone who had hinted she might have something to send me... but this is still pretty great. ;)

Wardrobe Malfunction

2009-04-15T08:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Matt had to spend the day in his socks after an unfortunate run-in between his truck and his work shoes. And by run-in, I mean he ran over them. Perhaps a Tuesday tradition in the UK? Admittedly there is much about British culture that we Canadians are unfamiliar with.

Cute AND Funny - my favourite combination!

2009-04-14T12:08:00.000-06:00

Someone at my work has a cat-a-day calendar... every once in awhile they pass around a chunk of of the past pages for those of us who get a kick out of that sort of thing. Normally they all end up in the recycle, but I had to keep this one 'cause it makes me laugh.

Good Music - Not Just for Listening To

2009-04-13T15:12:00.000-06:00

I love this song, and love love love this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2XREBNiDZE

It's from The Acorn's album "Glory Hope Mountain" which was inspired by the lead band member's Honduras-born mother Gloria Esperanza Montoya. My friend Jill turned me on to these guys... it's amazing music. The above, though, is my absolute favourite.

Daydreamin'

2009-04-13T13:58:00.000-06:00

Flutterby

2009-04-13T10:01:00.000-06:00

Lorraine and Dylan drove in from Manning on Saturday for their very nice week-long Easter break. I'm totally jealous, but that's besides the point. So, we went out for a late dessert, just to the Boston Pizza on Whyte. I got the Chocolate Explosion, as is my usual. What wasn't usual, though, was it's presentation! When the server delivered our desserts she told me that the cook had had a little bit too much fun when putting mine together... isn't it amazing! I hated actually eating it. Well, before I took the first bite, that is...

And another pic, for good measure:

How Dalmations Got Their Spots

2009-04-12T16:30:00.000-06:00

Looking through my old elementary school yearbook, I found something that I'd completely forgotten about... my first piece of published literature, complete with random capitalization and a nine-year-old's creative theory of canine evolution.

Flashback to 1990

2009-04-12T16:06:00.001-06:00

Okay, so obviously there is no scarcity of things to make fun of in this picture. Let me point out my favourite part of it: my tie-dyed hammer pants, which I probably a) tie-dyed in a basin in the back yard or b) picked out at the store myself. Can't quite remember. I did love my tie-dyed clothing products back then. Hey, at least I'm wearing an ecologically-conscious t-shirt! I was a little tree-hugger since the start!

This is my 4th grade class picture, in case you're wondering. The teacher is Mr. Miller. I actually ran into him about a year and a half, two years ago, when I was still working at Chapters. Naturally I had to say hi. Kinda crazy! Actually, there are 5 kids in this picture that I've also run into. I guess the world isn't as small as I once thought it was!

Below is Li's Grade 4 class picture. My class was totally way better, except her's had her in it! And somehow she scammed the prime spot! Can I just say that she was a waaaay better dressed kid? ;)