As of this second my profile has been viewed 999 times. I know it's the same person looking at it over and over, but it's still hard to fathom that mine has been viewed that many times and some bands who request me and every other person in this social Avon-type pyramid have had fewer people look at them. I joined less than a year ago (I think), so that means 90 people a month look at me, or 3 a day, roughly. I guess this isn't as impressive, or surprising, as I originally thought. Hmm...
I assume, of course, that my picture initially draws people in. Apparently you can tell a lot about a person from a picture, but I've learned that people think I'm a certain way from mine and are then disappointed when they meet me for real. I'm OK with this. I know it takes a few interactions for me to start being me-like. Not everyone wants to put in the effort. And I suppose I do the same thing, make judgements based on pictures. It's like everything else, where looks matter to some extent.
That said, I'm going to try to stop assuming things about people. Letting things unfold as they happen and taking opportunities when they pop up seems a better idea instead of wondering about motives and what the other person is thinking. How many times have I missed out on meeting a new person or doing a fun new activity because of looks or worrying what other people would think?
Last night I went out with my friend for gelato and cheeseburgers. He called to chit chat during a work break (one of those work-at-home types) and I convinced him that he'd rather go for gelato than talk on the phone. He brought his flatmate's dog with and we sat outside the gelato shop and ate gelato while freezing rain fell at 11:30pm. People who went by looked at us oddly. It was pretty cold, we were literally shivering, and we were eating gelato. It was a lot of fun, especially since I haven't seen him for a while and he's one of my oldest friends. The snowstorm conditions just added to it.
I realise I don't do stuff like this as much anymore, the last-minute hanging out and doing irrational things. Everything has been so structured and all my time alloted down to the half-hour. I'm not so open to new things and changes to the schedule of my life. And maybe that's why I don't think my life is especially fun.
So today I smiled at people during the extensive Skytrain breakdown and didn't get angry or curse under my breath, because the sun was shiny and the sidewalks were slushy and I could jump in them and make an impressive splash if I really wanted to. Think of the puddles I'll encounter on my way home!
And I'm going to see Isobel Campbell tonight!
Currently reading :
Pumpkin, a Super Food for All 12 Months of the Year
By DeeDee Stovel
Release date: 01 August, 2005
Friday, March 10, 2006
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
mother nature
Frozen rain! In Vancouver! It's like "the Ice Storm" out there. Wind making my hair look all wild and vertical. Tomorrow I'm wearing waterproof mascara. I've been cold all day, starting from the second I left my house until now, so hopefully my bed will warm up quickly.
Note: Soho at the bottom of Davie has Boddy's and other ales and lagers on for $3.75 constantly. Like, daily they're all cheap. It's my new favourite place. If ever you want a drinking partner, I am so there. Even if the weather is miserable.
Currently listening :
Terrible Things Happen
By The Aislers Set
Release date: 31 July, 1998
Note: Soho at the bottom of Davie has Boddy's and other ales and lagers on for $3.75 constantly. Like, daily they're all cheap. It's my new favourite place. If ever you want a drinking partner, I am so there. Even if the weather is miserable.
Currently listening :
Terrible Things Happen
By The Aislers Set
Release date: 31 July, 1998
sons & daughter
OK, this might be my new favourite show. "Sons & Daughters" was on last night, two episodes back to back, and it was ridiculous. Somewhat painful, but in an amusing way. The pre-teen girl with glasses and braces is the most annoying character on that show, but she's my favourite. How odd is it that, when the extended family goes out for family bowling, all of them have bowling shirts? I know only two, maybe three people that have bowling shirts. But an entire family? Good for them.
The stepfather said to the stepson that he was thinking of leaving his wife, the guy's mother. He told one person and then the gossip spread through the family so the only person who didn't know was the wife. One of the kids glued a Hitler moustache on a sleeping great-aunt and filmed it. The attractive cousin talked up some girls; when the unattractive cousin came by and the girls said he was a loser, the attractive cousin told them they were ugly inside and that made them ugly outside. I'm starting to wonder if the people who write/wrote for "Arrested Development" got a new job on this one. It's that kind of roundabout dialogue. They have helpful name pop-ups so you know who everyone is and how they're related to the central character.
I'm not explaining this right.
I watched two whole episodes of a new show without turning it, even though the Simpsons were on. That's how into it I was. I barely watch anything the whole way through.
Oh, today at work the police were called in because three women had their purses snatched within a five minute period. They caught the guy and had him in handcuffs outside our window. It's hard not to stare out when something like that unfolds before your window. Unfortunately the one woman who saw her purse being taken later decided that she wasn't completely sure the guy was the right one, so they had to let him go. Ridiculous. The guy cut one of the security guards, but still wasn't held.
This was the most excitement we've had for a while.
I'm totally going out for $3.75 pints right now.
Currently listening :
Universal Audio
By The Delgados
Release date: 28 September, 2004
The stepfather said to the stepson that he was thinking of leaving his wife, the guy's mother. He told one person and then the gossip spread through the family so the only person who didn't know was the wife. One of the kids glued a Hitler moustache on a sleeping great-aunt and filmed it. The attractive cousin talked up some girls; when the unattractive cousin came by and the girls said he was a loser, the attractive cousin told them they were ugly inside and that made them ugly outside. I'm starting to wonder if the people who write/wrote for "Arrested Development" got a new job on this one. It's that kind of roundabout dialogue. They have helpful name pop-ups so you know who everyone is and how they're related to the central character.
I'm not explaining this right.
I watched two whole episodes of a new show without turning it, even though the Simpsons were on. That's how into it I was. I barely watch anything the whole way through.
Oh, today at work the police were called in because three women had their purses snatched within a five minute period. They caught the guy and had him in handcuffs outside our window. It's hard not to stare out when something like that unfolds before your window. Unfortunately the one woman who saw her purse being taken later decided that she wasn't completely sure the guy was the right one, so they had to let him go. Ridiculous. The guy cut one of the security guards, but still wasn't held.
This was the most excitement we've had for a while.
I'm totally going out for $3.75 pints right now.
Currently listening :
Universal Audio
By The Delgados
Release date: 28 September, 2004
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
bridesmaidzilla?
Last night I went to the 5th or 6th Operation Bridesmaid meeting for my friend's fall wedding. I've lost count. I'm still terrified about it, even moreso now, because two of the other bridesmaids decided to go all-out last night: they bought their dresses. Keep in mind that the wedding is at the end of September.
Originally we were just going to meet to discuss a couple of things the bride-to-be asked me to address. Then, suddenly, one of the girls suggested we go to the hellacious mall to look at shoes because, apparently, only one store in all of Greater Vancouver has silver shoes and they were having a sale. And it's imperative we have silver shoes. So we went. The two found shoes, which was lovely because now all our shoes are shiny. (Mine I bought at Value Village for $5.99 and are from the mid-60s, so are the shiny silver that all shoes of that era seem to be.) They each bought shoes that sparkle. Like princesses.
That should have been the end of it.
Suddenly the honorary bridesmaid (a gay man) saw a store and said that the missing bridesmaid (there are 4 of us officially; 5 with the honorary one) almost bought a dress there and we should look to see if there was anything we liked. This was not just any dress shop; this was a dreamy princess dress shop. The dresses in the window stood on their own, they had so much crinoline and boning in them. Like, they would be too fancy for a catillion kind of fancy. And almost all the dresses were like that. The one bridesmaid found a couple of dresses quickly and one she really liked. Actually it was closer to love. It was lovely and on sale for $89.99. But we had all agreed that we would all have cocktail length dresses (I believe cocktail length falls slightly below the knee, short enough that a drunk girl wouldn't trip over the hem when drunk). I mentioned this. Suddenly the gloves were off.
After listening to, "But I love this dress the way it is," for 10 minutes, I (the spoilsport) relented. She bought the dress. The other bridesmaid, feeling adventurous and maybe just a little jealous, tried on a couple of dresses that really weren't very nice. The one she liked actually just looked like she wrapped fabric from a bolt around her. Thankfully I managed to talk her out of that one, but the ladies in the store wanted her to get something and found a dress that looked pretty cute on her... if she were getting married. It was white and bride-y, and was also floor-length. Despite being regular price (something like $250, for a bridesmaid dress!), she bought it. Then she asked, "Do you think I'll upstage [the bride] in this dress? Because I don't want to do that." The other two assured her that, since the dress would be in pink, it would be fine. Me, I'm not so sure. It's pretty close to being a wedding gown. I think there could be a fist fight when the bride sees these dresses.
After we left the store and walked through the sprawl of the mall (did I mention I despise malls?), we passed a store that the bride had bought a dress at the year previous for a wedding. "Oh ya," says the honorary bridesmaid. "Now that I think about it, that was the store where the other bridesmaid almost bought the dress." I had to stop myself from wrapping my fingers around his neck.
So now I'm left to look for either a dress or fabric to make a dress, both of which I'm totally OK with. It's just that now I feel this pressure to pick something ultra fancy because the other two have floor-length gowns. I wish I could find my retro patterns. At this point, nothing short of "Roman Holiday" Audrey Hepburn will do.
Did I mention we're wearing sparkly tiaras?
Currently listening :
Puzzle
By Tahiti 80
Release date: 06 June, 2000
Originally we were just going to meet to discuss a couple of things the bride-to-be asked me to address. Then, suddenly, one of the girls suggested we go to the hellacious mall to look at shoes because, apparently, only one store in all of Greater Vancouver has silver shoes and they were having a sale. And it's imperative we have silver shoes. So we went. The two found shoes, which was lovely because now all our shoes are shiny. (Mine I bought at Value Village for $5.99 and are from the mid-60s, so are the shiny silver that all shoes of that era seem to be.) They each bought shoes that sparkle. Like princesses.
That should have been the end of it.
Suddenly the honorary bridesmaid (a gay man) saw a store and said that the missing bridesmaid (there are 4 of us officially; 5 with the honorary one) almost bought a dress there and we should look to see if there was anything we liked. This was not just any dress shop; this was a dreamy princess dress shop. The dresses in the window stood on their own, they had so much crinoline and boning in them. Like, they would be too fancy for a catillion kind of fancy. And almost all the dresses were like that. The one bridesmaid found a couple of dresses quickly and one she really liked. Actually it was closer to love. It was lovely and on sale for $89.99. But we had all agreed that we would all have cocktail length dresses (I believe cocktail length falls slightly below the knee, short enough that a drunk girl wouldn't trip over the hem when drunk). I mentioned this. Suddenly the gloves were off.
After listening to, "But I love this dress the way it is," for 10 minutes, I (the spoilsport) relented. She bought the dress. The other bridesmaid, feeling adventurous and maybe just a little jealous, tried on a couple of dresses that really weren't very nice. The one she liked actually just looked like she wrapped fabric from a bolt around her. Thankfully I managed to talk her out of that one, but the ladies in the store wanted her to get something and found a dress that looked pretty cute on her... if she were getting married. It was white and bride-y, and was also floor-length. Despite being regular price (something like $250, for a bridesmaid dress!), she bought it. Then she asked, "Do you think I'll upstage [the bride] in this dress? Because I don't want to do that." The other two assured her that, since the dress would be in pink, it would be fine. Me, I'm not so sure. It's pretty close to being a wedding gown. I think there could be a fist fight when the bride sees these dresses.
After we left the store and walked through the sprawl of the mall (did I mention I despise malls?), we passed a store that the bride had bought a dress at the year previous for a wedding. "Oh ya," says the honorary bridesmaid. "Now that I think about it, that was the store where the other bridesmaid almost bought the dress." I had to stop myself from wrapping my fingers around his neck.
So now I'm left to look for either a dress or fabric to make a dress, both of which I'm totally OK with. It's just that now I feel this pressure to pick something ultra fancy because the other two have floor-length gowns. I wish I could find my retro patterns. At this point, nothing short of "Roman Holiday" Audrey Hepburn will do.
Did I mention we're wearing sparkly tiaras?
Currently listening :
Puzzle
By Tahiti 80
Release date: 06 June, 2000
Saturday, March 4, 2006
moo
I am so full of meat right now. Just back from my celebratory steak dinner with my pal Tony. My belly is slowly digesting the California cut New York steak I had. Apparently in California they like their steaks cut in half, which is good because I couldn't eat more than I did and I couldn't even finish that one.
Against my better judgement, we shared a Baked Alaska. We couldn't really figure out what was Alaska about it, but the ice cream portion of it was really tasty. I always thought Baked Alaska was supposed to be lit on fire, as I vaguely recall them doing on "The Love Boat." This one was not. What is the mountainous shaped dessert that is lit on fire? Not Crepes Suzette. Something else.
I'm trying to hurry along the digestive process with some ginger ale. Really, I'm hoping the dull pain of too much food will ease up faster. All I can really do is lie on my couch like a beached whale, watching Saturday night TV.
"Pretty in Pink" is on YTV at one of my favourite parts. They're in Iona's apartment (I love that apartment) when she's wearing that awesome white wig and op-art cheungsan, looking at her prom dress. Post-fight with Duckie, pre-freak out at Blaine. I know too much about this movie. I find myself talking along with the dialogue. The best part is when Jon Cryer dances and sings along with "Tenderness" in Wax Trax. That was a real, fully-functioning store. Not a fake one like in "High Fidelity," even though that one did look pretty authentic. I wonder how much this movie has really formed my likes and dislikes. Let's look at the facts:
1) I like to sew. Andie sewed all her clothes.
2) I like record stores. Andie worked in a record store.
3) I like the Psychedelic Furs. Guess who wrote the title track?
4) I like boys who are the same height as me. All the boys are the same height as the girls in this movie. At least the ones who makeout.
5) I like going to rock shows. Andie goes to the bar to watch The RaveUps.
Since I watched this the first time when I was about 14, I suppose it's possible it influenced me. But, really, my favourite movie is "Breakfast at Tiffany's" so I'd much rather be influenced by that. Which is why I need to make more cocktail dresses and start wearing kitten heels more often.
Oh, I need to lie down.
Currently watching :
Pretty in Pink
Release date: 20 August, 2002
Against my better judgement, we shared a Baked Alaska. We couldn't really figure out what was Alaska about it, but the ice cream portion of it was really tasty. I always thought Baked Alaska was supposed to be lit on fire, as I vaguely recall them doing on "The Love Boat." This one was not. What is the mountainous shaped dessert that is lit on fire? Not Crepes Suzette. Something else.
I'm trying to hurry along the digestive process with some ginger ale. Really, I'm hoping the dull pain of too much food will ease up faster. All I can really do is lie on my couch like a beached whale, watching Saturday night TV.
"Pretty in Pink" is on YTV at one of my favourite parts. They're in Iona's apartment (I love that apartment) when she's wearing that awesome white wig and op-art cheungsan, looking at her prom dress. Post-fight with Duckie, pre-freak out at Blaine. I know too much about this movie. I find myself talking along with the dialogue. The best part is when Jon Cryer dances and sings along with "Tenderness" in Wax Trax. That was a real, fully-functioning store. Not a fake one like in "High Fidelity," even though that one did look pretty authentic. I wonder how much this movie has really formed my likes and dislikes. Let's look at the facts:
1) I like to sew. Andie sewed all her clothes.
2) I like record stores. Andie worked in a record store.
3) I like the Psychedelic Furs. Guess who wrote the title track?
4) I like boys who are the same height as me. All the boys are the same height as the girls in this movie. At least the ones who makeout.
5) I like going to rock shows. Andie goes to the bar to watch The RaveUps.
Since I watched this the first time when I was about 14, I suppose it's possible it influenced me. But, really, my favourite movie is "Breakfast at Tiffany's" so I'd much rather be influenced by that. Which is why I need to make more cocktail dresses and start wearing kitten heels more often.
Oh, I need to lie down.
Currently watching :
Pretty in Pink
Release date: 20 August, 2002
lo-fi
Yesterday I bought a little silver transistor radio. It's small and cute and utilitarian. I figured I could listen to it at work while I perform my monkey-type skills on a project for the children's library. (Of note to you Vancouver readers: I perform on the mezzanine level from 9-1 today only. Best views on Levels 4 to 6.) Believe me, there's nothing to see.
Originally I was thinking of finally breaking down and buying an MP3 player of some sort, but then realised I haven't really invested any time into iTunes and so would have to load my computer up with CDs and that would take effort and I wasn't willing to do that. Then I thought a personal CD player would be a good idea, but then I have to choose CDs and put them in a case and transport all of it from home to work and back, and that seemed dangerous for the integrity of the CDs, all vulnerable outside their jewel cases. So I have a radio.
The reason I like the radio is because it has an enormous antenna that may or may not tip the radio over when it's standing upright. Makes me confident in the radio's potential clarity. I should also get fantastic reception because I'm, literally, less than 100 metres from the CBC building. Radio 2, here I come.
And I may never have to get an MP3 player because it's small enough to fit into my coat. So, when I start school in the fall, I can bust a move to the radio. I mean, it even has a jack for headphones. How dope would it be to ride the bus while listening to the radio? All conversations with me would resemble the following:
them - "Cool, a radio. Hey, what're you listening to?"
me - "Radio 1."
them - "Awesome. We should totally make-out right now."
Radio is hot.
Daily Confession No.1:
I was seriously considering going to Rick Springfield at the casino until my friend informed me he's heavy on the new material, lite on the good (thanks for the tip, MP). Go back and listen to "Working Class Dog" and try to convince me it wasn't rad. I called my sister and said that he was playing and she started laughing because her husband mentioned it just before I called. The alternative to paying $60 to see Rick Springfield is paying $60 to see Hall and Oates at the Centre. It is taking everything in me to not break into my savings account to buy a ticket to that one. Seriously. Why, just last night I squealed at my friend during controller.controller, "That's a line from 'Out of Touch'! You know, Hall and Oates?! C'mon! You know it. 'I'm out of my head when you're not around.' That's a total ripoff! COME ON!!!" Even though they're not looking so great (and Rick Springfield is still looking sooo goood), they are almost guaranteed to be all about their hits. They've been doing solo projects the last, what, 15 years or so, and are both into jazz and/or blues. I'm going to avoid Ticketmaster like the infested craphole it is. Maybe I'll look for an all-Hall-and-Oates all-the-time station on my radio. There must be one...
Currently listening :
Working Class Dog
By Rick Springfield
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Originally I was thinking of finally breaking down and buying an MP3 player of some sort, but then realised I haven't really invested any time into iTunes and so would have to load my computer up with CDs and that would take effort and I wasn't willing to do that. Then I thought a personal CD player would be a good idea, but then I have to choose CDs and put them in a case and transport all of it from home to work and back, and that seemed dangerous for the integrity of the CDs, all vulnerable outside their jewel cases. So I have a radio.
The reason I like the radio is because it has an enormous antenna that may or may not tip the radio over when it's standing upright. Makes me confident in the radio's potential clarity. I should also get fantastic reception because I'm, literally, less than 100 metres from the CBC building. Radio 2, here I come.
And I may never have to get an MP3 player because it's small enough to fit into my coat. So, when I start school in the fall, I can bust a move to the radio. I mean, it even has a jack for headphones. How dope would it be to ride the bus while listening to the radio? All conversations with me would resemble the following:
them - "Cool, a radio. Hey, what're you listening to?"
me - "Radio 1."
them - "Awesome. We should totally make-out right now."
Radio is hot.
Daily Confession No.1:
I was seriously considering going to Rick Springfield at the casino until my friend informed me he's heavy on the new material, lite on the good (thanks for the tip, MP). Go back and listen to "Working Class Dog" and try to convince me it wasn't rad. I called my sister and said that he was playing and she started laughing because her husband mentioned it just before I called. The alternative to paying $60 to see Rick Springfield is paying $60 to see Hall and Oates at the Centre. It is taking everything in me to not break into my savings account to buy a ticket to that one. Seriously. Why, just last night I squealed at my friend during controller.controller, "That's a line from 'Out of Touch'! You know, Hall and Oates?! C'mon! You know it. 'I'm out of my head when you're not around.' That's a total ripoff! COME ON!!!" Even though they're not looking so great (and Rick Springfield is still looking sooo goood), they are almost guaranteed to be all about their hits. They've been doing solo projects the last, what, 15 years or so, and are both into jazz and/or blues. I'm going to avoid Ticketmaster like the infested craphole it is. Maybe I'll look for an all-Hall-and-Oates all-the-time station on my radio. There must be one...
Currently listening :
Working Class Dog
By Rick Springfield
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Thursday, March 2, 2006
the nature of things... or people
My co-worker shared this gem:
She and her family went to the pet store to get a hamster. She needed some sort of small animal to appease her son, who was gung-ho for a dog, and it's an easy pet to take care of. She was waiting for hamsters to go on sale (seriously, she admitted this to me) for $7.49, a $3 or $4 savings. They were in the store, trying to decide on which was the cutest, when an "Oriental" lady (she says this despite being Japanese-Canadian, so I think she just didn't want to wager a guess) approached her. The woman whispered, "I've got a deal for you. Follow me," and left the store. My co-worker, intrigued by the suggestion, followed with her daughter.
They went to the parking lot and the woman opened the back of her van. Inside there was a huge, dog-kennel sized holder with two fat hamsters, a massive bag of wood shavings and a smorgasborg of foodstuffs for hamsters. My co-worker got freaked out and said her kids wanted a smaller, newer hamster, but thanked the lady for asking.
At this point of the story I thought it was like a black market sale of hamsters. Apparently they would have been free.
As they were walking away, the woman muttered under her breath something about having to go to the SPCA to get rid of the hamsters. She said she didn't have enough time to take care of them, but, come ON; they only need food every few days. What's there to take care of?
Unrelated, we also talked about "Skating with Celebrities" today. We agreed that Bruce Jenner looks a bit undead. I made the suggestion that, with all his plastic surgery, he sorta resembles Chucky the murderous doll. It seems I struck a nerve because they laughed hysterically for a few minutes. It might also be the lack of oxygen in our office.
I'm off candy/chocolate for Lent. I can't tell if that's why I'm feeling unwell already, or if it's a cold. Ugh.
Currently listening :
Dear Catastrophe Waitress
By Belle & Sebastian
Release date: 07 October, 2003
She and her family went to the pet store to get a hamster. She needed some sort of small animal to appease her son, who was gung-ho for a dog, and it's an easy pet to take care of. She was waiting for hamsters to go on sale (seriously, she admitted this to me) for $7.49, a $3 or $4 savings. They were in the store, trying to decide on which was the cutest, when an "Oriental" lady (she says this despite being Japanese-Canadian, so I think she just didn't want to wager a guess) approached her. The woman whispered, "I've got a deal for you. Follow me," and left the store. My co-worker, intrigued by the suggestion, followed with her daughter.
They went to the parking lot and the woman opened the back of her van. Inside there was a huge, dog-kennel sized holder with two fat hamsters, a massive bag of wood shavings and a smorgasborg of foodstuffs for hamsters. My co-worker got freaked out and said her kids wanted a smaller, newer hamster, but thanked the lady for asking.
At this point of the story I thought it was like a black market sale of hamsters. Apparently they would have been free.
As they were walking away, the woman muttered under her breath something about having to go to the SPCA to get rid of the hamsters. She said she didn't have enough time to take care of them, but, come ON; they only need food every few days. What's there to take care of?
Unrelated, we also talked about "Skating with Celebrities" today. We agreed that Bruce Jenner looks a bit undead. I made the suggestion that, with all his plastic surgery, he sorta resembles Chucky the murderous doll. It seems I struck a nerve because they laughed hysterically for a few minutes. It might also be the lack of oxygen in our office.
I'm off candy/chocolate for Lent. I can't tell if that's why I'm feeling unwell already, or if it's a cold. Ugh.
Currently listening :
Dear Catastrophe Waitress
By Belle & Sebastian
Release date: 07 October, 2003
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