I'm still not feeling 100% (slight residual throat soreness), so I've been trying to make myself useful around the house. I made the last of my frozen zucchini into zucchini bread and need to branch out. Two new projects should occupy my time these next few days. Or the dust will do me in.
There were a few boxes waiting to be dealt with from the move, piled in corners and avoided. I've been going through them to see what I thought was so important that I had to move but not so important that I haven't unpacked yet. Mainly it's pictures and stuff from Japan that I actually kept and just bits of interest. I'm trying to figure out how to keep them in a way that won't be in a cardboard box. I've got no ideas.
The other project is loading the CDs I actually care about onto my hard drive. This is a daunting task. I realised as I went through them that half of them aren't done, which seems sort of stupid and I can't figure out why I never got around to it before. I've got days of work ahead of me with this. I may abandon the project midway through out of sheer boredom.
As you must be doing right now.
Today I ventured out of the house later in the afternoon for juniper cask beer at the Whip. My friend's friend makes beer and I realised partway through our conversation that I really need to spend more time with people who make beer, if only for the cred it could potentially give me to drink beers made with coriander and pumpkin. Also, I kind of enjoy beer a great deal. Afterwards I went to my friend's house to watch a movie and eat some Thai food, which did wonders for my throat. We watched "Forgetting Sarah Marshall;" I had to pause the movie while I gasped for breath after the line "God put our mouths on our head for a reason."
You know what sucks? When you want your phone to ring and it doesn't. Sigh. Telecommunications lead to heartbreak.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
caffeinated
My tea/coffee intake has gone up drastically lately. I almost never have either because of my cat's tongue and because most hot drinks hurt my stomach. Tuesday morning I had one of the best cups of coffee ever (I *heart* Bodums) and the last couple of days I've tried to have tea in the evenings to calm me down and to soothe my stupid throat.
The soreness has increased to the point that I can't ignore it, nor can it be overtaken by Cold FX. I'm going to test the whole hydration thing, to see if drinking vats of hot tea can make a sore throat go away faster. Just my luck that this hits when I have a few days off. The peppermint tea feels really nice.
While preparing my tea this morning, I realised that my favourite cups, the Totoro ones, are Noritake! I don't know why I didn't clue in to the sound of my spoon tapping the sides of the cup, the ring normally associated with china. (These were one of those random gifts I got every few months for some random reason that I didn't understand, and one of the few that made it back to Canada AND that I haven't had to get rid of yet.) And this reminds me I have to get a couple of settings of china before Christmas. I'll have to see if there are sales at the department stores... There were some lovely tea settings at Sears for 50% off, but they're still $60 or something ridiculous like that. Sigh.
I wish it weren't raining today. I wish Solly's weren't so far away; I could do with some matzoh ball chicken soup and bagels today. I wish a space heater magically appeared on my living room floor when I awoke this morning. I wish these boxes would unpack themselves and the pictures would hang themselves. I wish my throat weren't scratchy. I wonder who I got this from...
The soreness has increased to the point that I can't ignore it, nor can it be overtaken by Cold FX. I'm going to test the whole hydration thing, to see if drinking vats of hot tea can make a sore throat go away faster. Just my luck that this hits when I have a few days off. The peppermint tea feels really nice.
While preparing my tea this morning, I realised that my favourite cups, the Totoro ones, are Noritake! I don't know why I didn't clue in to the sound of my spoon tapping the sides of the cup, the ring normally associated with china. (These were one of those random gifts I got every few months for some random reason that I didn't understand, and one of the few that made it back to Canada AND that I haven't had to get rid of yet.) And this reminds me I have to get a couple of settings of china before Christmas. I'll have to see if there are sales at the department stores... There were some lovely tea settings at Sears for 50% off, but they're still $60 or something ridiculous like that. Sigh.
I wish it weren't raining today. I wish Solly's weren't so far away; I could do with some matzoh ball chicken soup and bagels today. I wish a space heater magically appeared on my living room floor when I awoke this morning. I wish these boxes would unpack themselves and the pictures would hang themselves. I wish my throat weren't scratchy. I wonder who I got this from...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
throat scratches
On my trip away from SFU I realised that all those kids must think I look really old and stuffy. I wasn't wearing jeans and Uggs (how can people still be wearing those?) or jeans and anything; I opted on a dress and flats for my interview. I got to thinking about what I was like when I was their age. And I've got to say, I was WAY more interesting/fun then than I am now.
I miss when Vancouver had awesome bands and it was easy to have fun. When I knew people in bands and who had record labels and... I guess I still know interesting people, but I'm just not one of them. Now the interesting people colour comic books and record segments for CBC and own gaming companies. Me, I just answer questions all day about books.
The bus was hellacious from Main. I had to wait for 20 minutes for it and it was half-full from the first stop. People packed on and it took 5 minutes to close the door because people couldn't get far enough away from the door for it to close but wouldn't get off. Two young boys were texting each other (they were about 2 people away from each other) and then the one called the other to talk. It was at that point that I laughed out loud at them and they laughed that I laughed, and everyone else tried to turn to see why we were all laughing, which made me laugh harder because it was impossible to move. I think I got a cold during the trip.
The heat is on in the living room. I don't think I can be perpetually cold anymore. If only I could unthaw my feet enough to go to a place that sells space heaters...
I've got one more day of work and then I'm working almost no days the next two weeks. This scares me a bit, but I'm trying to look at this positively: if I go on a date and want to stay over, I don't have to leave at 7am to get home and to work in the morning. I can start drinking at 9am. I can take a little day trip or overnighter to somewhere else. I can do stuff. Holy crap, what am I going to do for two weeks?
I miss when Vancouver had awesome bands and it was easy to have fun. When I knew people in bands and who had record labels and... I guess I still know interesting people, but I'm just not one of them. Now the interesting people colour comic books and record segments for CBC and own gaming companies. Me, I just answer questions all day about books.
The bus was hellacious from Main. I had to wait for 20 minutes for it and it was half-full from the first stop. People packed on and it took 5 minutes to close the door because people couldn't get far enough away from the door for it to close but wouldn't get off. Two young boys were texting each other (they were about 2 people away from each other) and then the one called the other to talk. It was at that point that I laughed out loud at them and they laughed that I laughed, and everyone else tried to turn to see why we were all laughing, which made me laugh harder because it was impossible to move. I think I got a cold during the trip.
The heat is on in the living room. I don't think I can be perpetually cold anymore. If only I could unthaw my feet enough to go to a place that sells space heaters...
I've got one more day of work and then I'm working almost no days the next two weeks. This scares me a bit, but I'm trying to look at this positively: if I go on a date and want to stay over, I don't have to leave at 7am to get home and to work in the morning. I can start drinking at 9am. I can take a little day trip or overnighter to somewhere else. I can do stuff. Holy crap, what am I going to do for two weeks?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
cold as ice
Tomorrow I have an interview at one of the university libraries again, this time for a short-term on-call position. I'm not sure what to expect this time, if getting an interview is a formality or if they want to find out more from me than they learned the last time I interviewed with them. Will I have the same people interviewing me? Did they take really excellent notes that they will consult again to see if my stories are the same?
I'm not thinking about it very much because I have a 2-hour training session to lead tonight that makes me a bit nervous. I know practice is supposed to make you less nervous, but when I practice it makes my stomach hurt in anticipation. I'm glad for the experience, but dislike the process.
Last night I was out with my classmates and we kind of wound up bar hopping, which is strange on a Tuesday night. We started at the Railway and had a pitcher that Joe thought tasted like broccoli. Then we went to Cafe Crepe for cheaper beer and some food. The guys were disturbed the men's washroom lacked doors; I was disturbed that one of the stalls in the ladies' literally looked like a shitstorm hit it. Dirty eurotrash... Then we wandered towards Waterfront and decided on a sports bar on Pender that starts with a Y that I can't remember the spelling of (Yagger's?). We all decided to drink what Rich always drinks (Jager & soda) since they serve Jagermeister ice cold from the tap. I had to stop drinking after the first one started to hit me mid-glass. Those guys are fun. We scurried for the Skytrain and I was home by 10:30, legs frozen and cursing my poor circulation.
I keep thinking about my friend's friend's puppy. I wonder if I can organise some sort of babysitting schedule...
Sarah Vowell's new book finally came in today. I'm pretty excited to read it. It's also time to start regular play of David Sedaris' "Holidays on Ice" to get me into the holiday spirit.
I'm not thinking about it very much because I have a 2-hour training session to lead tonight that makes me a bit nervous. I know practice is supposed to make you less nervous, but when I practice it makes my stomach hurt in anticipation. I'm glad for the experience, but dislike the process.
Last night I was out with my classmates and we kind of wound up bar hopping, which is strange on a Tuesday night. We started at the Railway and had a pitcher that Joe thought tasted like broccoli. Then we went to Cafe Crepe for cheaper beer and some food. The guys were disturbed the men's washroom lacked doors; I was disturbed that one of the stalls in the ladies' literally looked like a shitstorm hit it. Dirty eurotrash... Then we wandered towards Waterfront and decided on a sports bar on Pender that starts with a Y that I can't remember the spelling of (Yagger's?). We all decided to drink what Rich always drinks (Jager & soda) since they serve Jagermeister ice cold from the tap. I had to stop drinking after the first one started to hit me mid-glass. Those guys are fun. We scurried for the Skytrain and I was home by 10:30, legs frozen and cursing my poor circulation.
I keep thinking about my friend's friend's puppy. I wonder if I can organise some sort of babysitting schedule...
Sarah Vowell's new book finally came in today. I'm pretty excited to read it. It's also time to start regular play of David Sedaris' "Holidays on Ice" to get me into the holiday spirit.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
good roundup (for a change)
What a great weekend. It's been a long time since a whole weekend has been fun, but this one was pretty great.
Friday I went to Rich's friend's house so Rich could make pasta for us before the Giants' game (his place is on the other side of Hastings Park). While it was nice to be walking distance to the game, it rained so much that my boots caught water dripping down from my soaked jeans and my toes started getting wet. We picked a good night to go because the Stanley Cup was there (!!!) along with 5 Stanley Cup legends to salute the last Vancouver team that won the cup: the Vancouver Millionaires, way back in 1915. The Giants wore replica jerseys that were pretty awesome; the shorts were ivory coloured and I kind of thought they were ridiculous, but by mid-first period I changed my mind and thought they were pretty hot. I'm not sure if other junior teams have these kind of ceremonies, but almost every game I've been to has been like this, which makes it extra special. Most other teams don't have Gordie Howe as a part owner. Suckers.
It was a good game, lots of action, though the first period was nearly a write-off because the Giants weren't playing very well. I'm pretty sure the coaching staff kicked their asses between the first and second because they were a completely other team from the second on. They won pretty handily, holding the Blazers to 2 shots in the second and 6 in the third. At the end of the game we went across to Hastings Park to the lounge in the casino for drinks. There was a covers band that took requests from the crowd and they were a lot of fun. It's our new favourite place.
Yesterday I got called in to Langara in the afternoon and that went pretty well. When I got home I felt too cold to take 3 buses to my friends' house for a party, so thought I'd stay in. But then wound up meeting up with Terry and Kathy in the neighbourhood for drinks and a chat, and came back for an early night.
Today I went to the Culture Crawl with them and Kathy's friend. If it had been raining I probably wouldn't have gone, but the weather was so fine and it was nice to walk around. We stuck around Strathcona and I nerded out a little and talked about the historical grading of the roads and how there are still stables in the back alleys. They went to an open house and I soaked in the sun and looked in the backyards of neighbouring houses. We decided to go to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre for lunch; I had perogies (but they're called something else) and cabbage rolls while the others also had borscht. Kathy, her friend and I went to the Etsy sale near my house and browsed (but didn't buy) stuff I've seen online and thought I could make. I came home after, picked up the bacon salt left on my doorstep (thanks, Glenny), and watched a movie that's probably due back at the library tomorrow. My friend and his girlfriend popped over on their way home and had some tea and a chat about boys, and we went for groceries. (I occasionally get calls from my friend asking if I want to meet him to do grocery shopping together. It's sometimes the only way we talk in person. I find it amusing.)
And now I'm watching New Kids on the Block on the American Music Awards (until the Colbert Christmas comes on) and daydreaming about Jordan.
Oh, I also turned my heat on for a few hours yesterday and today, but it's off again. I think I'm going to see about getting a space heater and an electric blanket instead of turning on the heat. And maybe will bake some banana bread for the next few days.
Friday I went to Rich's friend's house so Rich could make pasta for us before the Giants' game (his place is on the other side of Hastings Park). While it was nice to be walking distance to the game, it rained so much that my boots caught water dripping down from my soaked jeans and my toes started getting wet. We picked a good night to go because the Stanley Cup was there (!!!) along with 5 Stanley Cup legends to salute the last Vancouver team that won the cup: the Vancouver Millionaires, way back in 1915. The Giants wore replica jerseys that were pretty awesome; the shorts were ivory coloured and I kind of thought they were ridiculous, but by mid-first period I changed my mind and thought they were pretty hot. I'm not sure if other junior teams have these kind of ceremonies, but almost every game I've been to has been like this, which makes it extra special. Most other teams don't have Gordie Howe as a part owner. Suckers.
It was a good game, lots of action, though the first period was nearly a write-off because the Giants weren't playing very well. I'm pretty sure the coaching staff kicked their asses between the first and second because they were a completely other team from the second on. They won pretty handily, holding the Blazers to 2 shots in the second and 6 in the third. At the end of the game we went across to Hastings Park to the lounge in the casino for drinks. There was a covers band that took requests from the crowd and they were a lot of fun. It's our new favourite place.
Yesterday I got called in to Langara in the afternoon and that went pretty well. When I got home I felt too cold to take 3 buses to my friends' house for a party, so thought I'd stay in. But then wound up meeting up with Terry and Kathy in the neighbourhood for drinks and a chat, and came back for an early night.
Today I went to the Culture Crawl with them and Kathy's friend. If it had been raining I probably wouldn't have gone, but the weather was so fine and it was nice to walk around. We stuck around Strathcona and I nerded out a little and talked about the historical grading of the roads and how there are still stables in the back alleys. They went to an open house and I soaked in the sun and looked in the backyards of neighbouring houses. We decided to go to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre for lunch; I had perogies (but they're called something else) and cabbage rolls while the others also had borscht. Kathy, her friend and I went to the Etsy sale near my house and browsed (but didn't buy) stuff I've seen online and thought I could make. I came home after, picked up the bacon salt left on my doorstep (thanks, Glenny), and watched a movie that's probably due back at the library tomorrow. My friend and his girlfriend popped over on their way home and had some tea and a chat about boys, and we went for groceries. (I occasionally get calls from my friend asking if I want to meet him to do grocery shopping together. It's sometimes the only way we talk in person. I find it amusing.)
And now I'm watching New Kids on the Block on the American Music Awards (until the Colbert Christmas comes on) and daydreaming about Jordan.
Oh, I also turned my heat on for a few hours yesterday and today, but it's off again. I think I'm going to see about getting a space heater and an electric blanket instead of turning on the heat. And maybe will bake some banana bread for the next few days.
Friday, November 21, 2008
brainwashing season
Is it just me or is Galen Weston getting better looking from commercial to commercial? At first I thought he was just kind of a well-spoken nerd, but his clothes have improved, his hair is looking slightly better and, while I still hate his glasses, he occasionally will look sort of hot.
Really, he should look good. His family has massive shares in Holt Renfrew and the family fortune is around $8 billion. He can afford to look good.
I'm such a sucker for both nerds and attractively styled foodstuffs. The dulce de luce cheesecake looks so fricking amazing.
Since I rarely do much of anything when I'm home (usually too tired and/or cold to move*) I listen to a decent amount of TV while I read or wander around the apartment. The GW commercials are on constantly at this time of year since they unleash tonnes of new products for Christmas. My resistance is weakening.
*I'm starting to feel like the coddling moths I used to irradiate. We kept them in cold storage to slow them so we could weigh them and then put them in the gamma cell ray machine. It's only taken 13 years to feel slightly guilty, but imagine how shitty apples would be without my work: coddling moth larvae are the worms in apples.
Really, he should look good. His family has massive shares in Holt Renfrew and the family fortune is around $8 billion. He can afford to look good.
I'm such a sucker for both nerds and attractively styled foodstuffs. The dulce de luce cheesecake looks so fricking amazing.
Since I rarely do much of anything when I'm home (usually too tired and/or cold to move*) I listen to a decent amount of TV while I read or wander around the apartment. The GW commercials are on constantly at this time of year since they unleash tonnes of new products for Christmas. My resistance is weakening.
*I'm starting to feel like the coddling moths I used to irradiate. We kept them in cold storage to slow them so we could weigh them and then put them in the gamma cell ray machine. It's only taken 13 years to feel slightly guilty, but imagine how shitty apples would be without my work: coddling moth larvae are the worms in apples.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
rebound
Just finished making a chorizo, tomato and mushroom quiche and it's pretty good. I suspect it's hard to mess up quiche, short of forgetting the milk or putting sugar in instead of salt. I once ran out of milk and made up the difference with vanilla soy milk, and it still tasted good.
This morning I've been moderately domestic. I started laundry as soon as I woke up and got two loads out of the way, and tidied up the kitchen a bit. I despise doing laundry in this building, not because it's always busy (although it is sometimes) but because there's only one of each machine and it takes FOREVER to get through loads. I guess I got spoiled with the last place; there were two machines on every floor, so I could do weeks worth of laundry in less than 2 hours.
This is dull, I realise.
The depressive episode of the weekend is over, largely because I saw/talked to a bunch of great friends on Sunday and Monday.
Sunday I met up with TP and Jill for dinner at Burgoo. I've got to say... so underwhelming. I only had a few bites of mine and traded with TP and picked at hers. I don't know that I would go again unless I wanted soup. Made plans with Rachel to watch a hockey game next weekend with my little buddy Augie, which I'm really excited about. My two alma mater are playing each other. Should be a good game.
Monday I met up with my guybrarian friend Rich after his interview at the library. He and his pal were 4 pitchers into the afternoon by the time I got there (a detour thanks to a package issue with the local postal outlet put me an hour late), so conversation was animated. They almost talked me into going to Vegas this weekend, but work kept me out. It was a lot of fun, and we made plans to go to a Giants game this weekend, hopefully with our other guybrarian friend.
The reason I was late was because of the aforementioned package. I hoped it was my glasses; it was not. It could be even better, depending how disturbing you find it.
The back story: I saw an ad somewhere for a product sold in the US and wanted to try it. It was so intriguing that I bought a 3-pack of it and paid the ridiculous shipping cost with the idea that I can give two of the three away as Christmas gifts. I haven't tried it yet (I've been waiting on its sister product that a friend got for me in Seattle before I open this one), but will as soon as I find some tomatoes. I would actually like to go to Seattle sometime and pick up specialty flavours and try to go to Target and get away from Vancouver for a few days. Since I have virtually no work yet for December I could probably do that. In theory.
Cripes, I wish I could stay home today. Cramps are kicking the crap out of my lady parts.
This morning I've been moderately domestic. I started laundry as soon as I woke up and got two loads out of the way, and tidied up the kitchen a bit. I despise doing laundry in this building, not because it's always busy (although it is sometimes) but because there's only one of each machine and it takes FOREVER to get through loads. I guess I got spoiled with the last place; there were two machines on every floor, so I could do weeks worth of laundry in less than 2 hours.
This is dull, I realise.
The depressive episode of the weekend is over, largely because I saw/talked to a bunch of great friends on Sunday and Monday.
Sunday I met up with TP and Jill for dinner at Burgoo. I've got to say... so underwhelming. I only had a few bites of mine and traded with TP and picked at hers. I don't know that I would go again unless I wanted soup. Made plans with Rachel to watch a hockey game next weekend with my little buddy Augie, which I'm really excited about. My two alma mater are playing each other. Should be a good game.
Monday I met up with my guybrarian friend Rich after his interview at the library. He and his pal were 4 pitchers into the afternoon by the time I got there (a detour thanks to a package issue with the local postal outlet put me an hour late), so conversation was animated. They almost talked me into going to Vegas this weekend, but work kept me out. It was a lot of fun, and we made plans to go to a Giants game this weekend, hopefully with our other guybrarian friend.
The reason I was late was because of the aforementioned package. I hoped it was my glasses; it was not. It could be even better, depending how disturbing you find it.
The back story: I saw an ad somewhere for a product sold in the US and wanted to try it. It was so intriguing that I bought a 3-pack of it and paid the ridiculous shipping cost with the idea that I can give two of the three away as Christmas gifts. I haven't tried it yet (I've been waiting on its sister product that a friend got for me in Seattle before I open this one), but will as soon as I find some tomatoes. I would actually like to go to Seattle sometime and pick up specialty flavours and try to go to Target and get away from Vancouver for a few days. Since I have virtually no work yet for December I could probably do that. In theory.
Cripes, I wish I could stay home today. Cramps are kicking the crap out of my lady parts.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
a dip in the ratings
I'm having a low day.
Avoidance is interesting. It preys on fears and confirms assumptions.
Today I just wish avoidance weren't the acceptable way to end friendships.
Avoidance is interesting. It preys on fears and confirms assumptions.
Today I just wish avoidance weren't the acceptable way to end friendships.
Friday, November 14, 2008
lippy
Holy crap, I hate people.
After a delightful night out with my CBC peeps, I rode the bus partway home with the most entitled yet stupid woman alive.
Seriously, if you think that getting on an empty bus at night at a back door is the best option for you, you should rethink your strategy. The bus driver called her to show him her ticket and she lipped him off. Then she started talking loudly about what an ass he was, at which point I said, "He just wanted to see your ticket." She waved it in front of my face (sort of, a few feet away) and said, "Here's my fucking ticket. Stay out of it."
Like I can do that when provoked.
So I said, "This isn't the B-line. He wants you to enter through the front." To which she replied, "It's LIKE the B-line." I said, "It's NOT the B-line, so you have to show your ticket." And then she got all bitchy and told me to fuck off, to which I obviously also had to tell her to fuck off and stop being so selfish.
When people try to appeal their case to innocent bystanders who want to stay out of it, you know the person is grasping a straws. This is what ensued.
I had a moment with a stranger, who essentially gave me a rolling eye look that said 'that woman is a ridiculous cow who is unable to not be a bitch,' and we had our moment and went back to our ride.
The woman gave me the finger when she got off, to which I gave her the British finger because I figured she either would think it was the peace sign or would be too stupid to know what I meant.
To summarise, people suck ass.
A little shout-out to CH for the secretive birthday on Monday (holla!): we'll be eating buffet chocolate real soon.
Just now I got into the most ridiculous misunderstanding with one of my closest friends, which resulted in me crying on the phone as we tried to figure it out. It's hard to be articulate and thoughtful with 1/3 of 6 jugs of beer coursing through your veins. Guh. No talking for me.
I guess it's that kind of night.
After a delightful night out with my CBC peeps, I rode the bus partway home with the most entitled yet stupid woman alive.
Seriously, if you think that getting on an empty bus at night at a back door is the best option for you, you should rethink your strategy. The bus driver called her to show him her ticket and she lipped him off. Then she started talking loudly about what an ass he was, at which point I said, "He just wanted to see your ticket." She waved it in front of my face (sort of, a few feet away) and said, "Here's my fucking ticket. Stay out of it."
Like I can do that when provoked.
So I said, "This isn't the B-line. He wants you to enter through the front." To which she replied, "It's LIKE the B-line." I said, "It's NOT the B-line, so you have to show your ticket." And then she got all bitchy and told me to fuck off, to which I obviously also had to tell her to fuck off and stop being so selfish.
When people try to appeal their case to innocent bystanders who want to stay out of it, you know the person is grasping a straws. This is what ensued.
I had a moment with a stranger, who essentially gave me a rolling eye look that said 'that woman is a ridiculous cow who is unable to not be a bitch,' and we had our moment and went back to our ride.
The woman gave me the finger when she got off, to which I gave her the British finger because I figured she either would think it was the peace sign or would be too stupid to know what I meant.
To summarise, people suck ass.
A little shout-out to CH for the secretive birthday on Monday (holla!): we'll be eating buffet chocolate real soon.
Just now I got into the most ridiculous misunderstanding with one of my closest friends, which resulted in me crying on the phone as we tried to figure it out. It's hard to be articulate and thoughtful with 1/3 of 6 jugs of beer coursing through your veins. Guh. No talking for me.
I guess it's that kind of night.
Monday, November 10, 2008
seeing clearly
The weather is kind of nice, but I've yet to go outside. Hiding under blankets always sounds like a better alternative to being cold, and it still feels a little cold out. I still haven't turned on my heat.
Today I bought two pairs of glasses. There is a ridiculously cheap sale at Clearly Contacts ($38 designer glasses!) and I really liked a couple of the styles. So... these will be added to the other pairs I've gotten from there. I don't really understand how they can sell complete glasses for $38, but I'm not complaining. Two pairs for under $80 is just silly to me.
Am feeling pretty dull lately. I'm OK, but just really low energy and without a whole lot of motivation to do much of anything. OK, that's not wholly accurate. I've got low motivation to make plans with people because it seems like a lot of effort with little in return. I'd rather stay home than make the effort right now. Perhaps it's the weather, perhaps it's because I'm trying to avoid people who have been sick in recent weeks...
Perhaps it's just feeling the weight of Remembrance Day. I'll, once again, make my way to the cenotaph for the ceremony and then head over to the Billy Bishop for drinks. It's a comforting tradition, and anyone is welcome to come with.
Today I bought two pairs of glasses. There is a ridiculously cheap sale at Clearly Contacts ($38 designer glasses!) and I really liked a couple of the styles. So... these will be added to the other pairs I've gotten from there. I don't really understand how they can sell complete glasses for $38, but I'm not complaining. Two pairs for under $80 is just silly to me.
Am feeling pretty dull lately. I'm OK, but just really low energy and without a whole lot of motivation to do much of anything. OK, that's not wholly accurate. I've got low motivation to make plans with people because it seems like a lot of effort with little in return. I'd rather stay home than make the effort right now. Perhaps it's the weather, perhaps it's because I'm trying to avoid people who have been sick in recent weeks...
Perhaps it's just feeling the weight of Remembrance Day. I'll, once again, make my way to the cenotaph for the ceremony and then head over to the Billy Bishop for drinks. It's a comforting tradition, and anyone is welcome to come with.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
let the show begin
Last night I went to Last Candidate Standing, a public forum for those running for public office in the municipal election. Public Space Network put it on in conjunction with SFU and it was... interesting. I invited my friend to go with and sold it by saying it would probably be a gong show since all mayoral and council candidates were invited. Little did I know it was literally going to be a gong show.
Only 18 of 25 candidates went to the forum, but it was still worth the time. Some of the people running are so fringe that I couldn't even understand their platforms. It was fascinating to hear why people were running and I felt bad for a few because they took themselves much more seriously than their platforms would allow. Legalise cocaine and heroin? Build 2000 $500/month geothermal apartments with no money? Uh... OK. It was hard to take someone seriously when one compared himself to a virgin, one wore evergreens in a visor and another wore a red ruffled shiny shirt with a top hat.
If only all political events were so amusing.
I'm pretty excited to vote next week.
Surprises: one Work Less Party candidate was quite impressive, one of the independent mayoral candidates was someone I would consider voting for, the cocaine/heroin comment.
After the forum I popped into Slickety Jim's for a birthday party, which was pretty fun, but I stayed only long enough to chug some ginger beer, have a quick chat with friends and salute the birthday boy. Good times.
Only 18 of 25 candidates went to the forum, but it was still worth the time. Some of the people running are so fringe that I couldn't even understand their platforms. It was fascinating to hear why people were running and I felt bad for a few because they took themselves much more seriously than their platforms would allow. Legalise cocaine and heroin? Build 2000 $500/month geothermal apartments with no money? Uh... OK. It was hard to take someone seriously when one compared himself to a virgin, one wore evergreens in a visor and another wore a red ruffled shiny shirt with a top hat.
If only all political events were so amusing.
I'm pretty excited to vote next week.
Surprises: one Work Less Party candidate was quite impressive, one of the independent mayoral candidates was someone I would consider voting for, the cocaine/heroin comment.
After the forum I popped into Slickety Jim's for a birthday party, which was pretty fun, but I stayed only long enough to chug some ginger beer, have a quick chat with friends and salute the birthday boy. Good times.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
half baked
I really, really like to bake. If I'm upset or angry one of the best ways for me to calm down is to bake. I love the measurements, the exactness of powers and liquids and congealed solids. Mixing bowls... love them and will buy vintage coloured pyrex anytime (if it's a good deal). I bought measuring cups last week in anticipation of the bakefest I planned for this weekend. I have dreams of silpat mats and silicone spatulas and mini bundt cake tins. I would spend all my money on cookbooks if I had anywhere to put them.
The things I baked Friday/Saturday:
1) upside down cranberry cake
2) molasses ginger cookies
3) black forest-ish cake
4) apple pie
5) poundcake/trifle
I had intended to make a berry cobbler, but changed my mind at the last minute. Probably for the best. There was a lot of dessert.
Note to self: don't bake so much at one time.
Thankfully a nice hoard of people came by for tea yesterday afternoon. I was concerned I'd wind up eating everything by myself, all the effort for nought. The most popular item, and the one I'm planning to make again soon, was the cranberry cake. Cripes, it was good. I managed to coerce a few people to take stuff home with them because there's no way I'd be able to eat all the leftovers. Baking cakes from scratch (frick, poundcake takes forever to bake, especially when you start at 1:30am) is satisfying; when they actually taste good, the satisfaction is amplified.
I used my china and wore the tea ring Dulcie gave me (thanks, girlie!) as promised. I'm going to try to use the china more frequently because it's much more fun to drink from a tiny teacup than anything. Perhaps more teacup gimlets should be in my future. Perhaps more cups and saucers...
Today I cleaned up the dishes and eliminated the slug that mysteriously died beside my fridge (*shudder*) and decided to bake cornbread muffins. I had a cheese ball that I bought on a whim to use in cooking and decided to cut it up and shove it and some jalapeños in the middle of the batter. Frick, I love cornbread. These suckers are fantastic, but so fricking hot. So good! When I mentioned to my sister about them, she stared at me stunned. The remainder of our conversation:
me: "They're really good. I swear."
Anita: "...I want to try them. The cheese is inside?"
me: "Ya, I usually use cream cheese, but thought I'd try this other cheese. I can give you one when you drop me off."
Anita: "Cream cheese? Oooo...Uh... just one? How many did you make?"
me: "A dozen."
Anita: "A dozen? Can't you give me more than one?"
me: "..."
Anita: "I want one now."
We had this conversation while we were waiting to order at the Reef. She and Peter took me for a belated birthday dinner, my choice. Peter and I both ordered the mahi mahi; Anita went with the less conventional jerk chicken quesadilla ("I ordered Mexican food at a Caribbean restaurant..." - Anita). When she tried mine she looked at my plate forlornly. Peter made lots of mmmm noises while he ate. It was darn good. We briefly discussed dessert, but there was no way to stuff anything else into any of us.
Besides, I still have all that cake in my fridge.
The things I baked Friday/Saturday:
1) upside down cranberry cake
2) molasses ginger cookies
3) black forest-ish cake
4) apple pie
5) poundcake/trifle
I had intended to make a berry cobbler, but changed my mind at the last minute. Probably for the best. There was a lot of dessert.
Note to self: don't bake so much at one time.
Thankfully a nice hoard of people came by for tea yesterday afternoon. I was concerned I'd wind up eating everything by myself, all the effort for nought. The most popular item, and the one I'm planning to make again soon, was the cranberry cake. Cripes, it was good. I managed to coerce a few people to take stuff home with them because there's no way I'd be able to eat all the leftovers. Baking cakes from scratch (frick, poundcake takes forever to bake, especially when you start at 1:30am) is satisfying; when they actually taste good, the satisfaction is amplified.
I used my china and wore the tea ring Dulcie gave me (thanks, girlie!) as promised. I'm going to try to use the china more frequently because it's much more fun to drink from a tiny teacup than anything. Perhaps more teacup gimlets should be in my future. Perhaps more cups and saucers...
Today I cleaned up the dishes and eliminated the slug that mysteriously died beside my fridge (*shudder*) and decided to bake cornbread muffins. I had a cheese ball that I bought on a whim to use in cooking and decided to cut it up and shove it and some jalapeños in the middle of the batter. Frick, I love cornbread. These suckers are fantastic, but so fricking hot. So good! When I mentioned to my sister about them, she stared at me stunned. The remainder of our conversation:
me: "They're really good. I swear."
Anita: "...I want to try them. The cheese is inside?"
me: "Ya, I usually use cream cheese, but thought I'd try this other cheese. I can give you one when you drop me off."
Anita: "Cream cheese? Oooo...Uh... just one? How many did you make?"
me: "A dozen."
Anita: "A dozen? Can't you give me more than one?"
me: "..."
Anita: "I want one now."
We had this conversation while we were waiting to order at the Reef. She and Peter took me for a belated birthday dinner, my choice. Peter and I both ordered the mahi mahi; Anita went with the less conventional jerk chicken quesadilla ("I ordered Mexican food at a Caribbean restaurant..." - Anita). When she tried mine she looked at my plate forlornly. Peter made lots of mmmm noises while he ate. It was darn good. We briefly discussed dessert, but there was no way to stuff anything else into any of us.
Besides, I still have all that cake in my fridge.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
none the wiser
Every year I decide that this is the year I won't plan anything for my birthday. And every year I cave at the last minute.
This year, like every other year, I planned to do nothing. Enquiries about my birthday plans had been lukewarm save for one. I had planned to go for a drink and a nice dinner by myself, not to avoid anyone but just to take in the experience quietly without the pressure of organising. It's a lot of work to make people celebrate a day that's only of importance to one person.
My friend was having none of that, though, and took me to Chambar, encouraging just another glass of the yummy beer as he picked up the check. We had to talk over the Madonna crowd and, had we planned for 30 minutes later, would have missed the ruckus and broken glass. It was the sort of experience I had hoped I could watch during my solo dinner, but it was much more fun to talk in hushed tones about people wearing too many sequins and not enough good taste.
The battle with Hallowe'en has reached a truce. I no longer try to compete with a synthetic holiday that people would rather celebrate than the late night hour I was born. I thank my mother that she managed to birth me less than an hour before Hallowe'en; this way I can support that it's tacky to wear a costume on the wrong day. Those that think it's fun to have a Hallowe'en themed birthday every year of your life should try it sometime. It isn't fun to be the busker outside the circus.
And so I celebrate my birthday today.
Plans to bake six desserts for who knows how many people have been tested. At 9pm I discovered that, when my oven was replaced, I forgot about the baking paraphernalia in the drawer. A frantic call to my landlord resulted in nothing but him blacklisting me as crazy (probably). Three of my desserts relied heavily on those pans/tins (and by relied heavily, what I mean to say is relied entirely). I couldn't make dinner until midnight and didn't eat until 2am. I realised that the showstopping cake I wanted to make required a candy thermometer because of the necessary precision of temperature for the icing; I lack a candy thermometer. I ran out of flour at 3am, suspending production until the shops open this morning. Anxiety about the day's schedule woke me up at 6:30. We'll just see what happens at this point. It might come down to throwing a carton of whipping cream, the bag of icing sugar and frozen berries into the middle of the table and hiding in my closet, between the shoes and the luggage.
I'm sure things will go fine; I'm just a drama queen. A worst-case scenario kind of girl.
The shops should be open now. Time to buy bakeware and flour. I wonder if they have candy thermometers at IGA...
This year, like every other year, I planned to do nothing. Enquiries about my birthday plans had been lukewarm save for one. I had planned to go for a drink and a nice dinner by myself, not to avoid anyone but just to take in the experience quietly without the pressure of organising. It's a lot of work to make people celebrate a day that's only of importance to one person.
My friend was having none of that, though, and took me to Chambar, encouraging just another glass of the yummy beer as he picked up the check. We had to talk over the Madonna crowd and, had we planned for 30 minutes later, would have missed the ruckus and broken glass. It was the sort of experience I had hoped I could watch during my solo dinner, but it was much more fun to talk in hushed tones about people wearing too many sequins and not enough good taste.
The battle with Hallowe'en has reached a truce. I no longer try to compete with a synthetic holiday that people would rather celebrate than the late night hour I was born. I thank my mother that she managed to birth me less than an hour before Hallowe'en; this way I can support that it's tacky to wear a costume on the wrong day. Those that think it's fun to have a Hallowe'en themed birthday every year of your life should try it sometime. It isn't fun to be the busker outside the circus.
And so I celebrate my birthday today.
Plans to bake six desserts for who knows how many people have been tested. At 9pm I discovered that, when my oven was replaced, I forgot about the baking paraphernalia in the drawer. A frantic call to my landlord resulted in nothing but him blacklisting me as crazy (probably). Three of my desserts relied heavily on those pans/tins (and by relied heavily, what I mean to say is relied entirely). I couldn't make dinner until midnight and didn't eat until 2am. I realised that the showstopping cake I wanted to make required a candy thermometer because of the necessary precision of temperature for the icing; I lack a candy thermometer. I ran out of flour at 3am, suspending production until the shops open this morning. Anxiety about the day's schedule woke me up at 6:30. We'll just see what happens at this point. It might come down to throwing a carton of whipping cream, the bag of icing sugar and frozen berries into the middle of the table and hiding in my closet, between the shoes and the luggage.
I'm sure things will go fine; I'm just a drama queen. A worst-case scenario kind of girl.
The shops should be open now. Time to buy bakeware and flour. I wonder if they have candy thermometers at IGA...
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