Left Foot

How kids in Edmonton wave to passing traffic. 

Copstash Standard

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: 

1. How do you spell moustache?  and...
2. 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?

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. 

Pretties

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.

Bleeding Love

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

(Frog) Prince or Pencil Sharpener?

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...

The Fulfillment of Fantasy, But at What Cost?

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!!!

Flood

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.

Room With a View

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!

Snapshots from the Clarke Family Holiday

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

Date With Big D

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?

Age of Aqueerius!

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!

Summer Snow

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

Bits and Trips

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.

Blame the Economy!

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

64 Bomb!

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 :(

Spring!

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 ;)

Bee!

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.