I realise I neglected to mention I was leaving town for the weekend. Ooops. Sorry about that. Anyway, a little recap of the pre-weekend stuff, with the weekend recap to follow. Eventually.
Last Tuesday I went to a radio taping of a new show on the CBC called "The Debaters." Shawn Mujumber hosts it and has two comedians debating about current events. We were in Studio One from a bit before 7pm until 9:30 to tape three half-hour episodes with one break in between. When we sat down I noticed the music: Paper Moon! They played nothing but Paper Moon to set the mood, which David and I liked a great deal.
When the show started I thought it would be easy. I mean, three half-hour episodes is only 1 1/2 hours. Easy peasey. In reality, it is extremely hard to laugh and clap for that long. My hands hurt, my throat was sore... Nothing seemed very funny by the end. I was tired! From listening!
Shawn Mujumber is short, about my height, so obviously I had an instant crush. It was short-lived; by the time we left the studio it was done. But he is funny.
On Wednesday Tangiene and David and a couple of his friends came over to watch "Wonder Showzen: Season One." It's almost a little too painful to watch, and I actually felt bad laughing at some of the more horrendous stuff. But still... I realise that I'm not very politically correct sometimes and other times I'm overly PC. Must look for a balance.
Thursday I met up with Rachel, Nathan and Augusten for a good hang-out session. I've been concerned that Augie hasn't been a big fan of me the last couple of months. He gets pissy when I'm around, doesn't want to sit with me, pretends he don't know me. This time I was going to make him like me again. I was, after all, the baby whisperer for a while. Turns out Augie likes me again and is getting pretty animated and fun. His parents like to make him do party tricks like a monkey (haha), but I guess that's all an important part of growing up, performing for guests. By the time he went to bed we were all three dead tired. It's sad when a baby can outlast three adults.
Tomorrow I'm starting school and am a bit nervous. I'm sure it will be fine, but I seem to enjoy worrying about everything so might as well worry about this, too. I paid my tuition on Friday (ouch, my bank account) and submitted an application for a workplace scholarship (pretty sure I won't get it). I also bought most of my books on Thursday after work (holy crap, $143 with three books to go) and have a couple of coil binders to write in. Just need a watch to get to class on time and I could be set. I should maybe get stuff together for tomorrow so I know where I'm going. When I get into a regular schedule with work and school I'm sure things will feel less nervewracking. As it is my tummy hurts with worry.
OK, weekend recap soon. I think I might go to a housewarming tonight, so it will follow shortly.
Monday, September 4, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
i've got potential
Today I got a letter from a book publisher. You may recall Douglas Coupland put together "Terry" to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope. The CBC had a bookclub release for it last year and I entered the contest for free tickets. I didn't win.
When I entered the contest, there was something about a follow-up book that could feature some of the entries. And, to my surprise, the letter today indicated that mine was read and is being considered by Douglas Coupland.
They included a copy of my entry and, admitedly, it was pretty touching. I don't even remember writing some of it. It made me cry. (This isn't really that hard, I realise. I'm a total crybaby.) But I am surprised that I didn't get tickets, yet may be published in a book. This seems weird to me.
If I do get into the book, I'll get a copy of it instead of payment or royalties, since all the proceeds go to the Terry Fox Foundation. Really, it's all the same to me. Just like being mentioned in liner notes, only moreso. I have a very minor Terry Fox obsession, so just being considered for a memorial book makes my tiny little heart jump with joy.
I think I'll walk in to work tomorrow past the Terry Fox Memorial for good luck.
Currently listening :
Be Your Own Pet
By Be Your Own Pet
Release date: 06 June, 2006
When I entered the contest, there was something about a follow-up book that could feature some of the entries. And, to my surprise, the letter today indicated that mine was read and is being considered by Douglas Coupland.
They included a copy of my entry and, admitedly, it was pretty touching. I don't even remember writing some of it. It made me cry. (This isn't really that hard, I realise. I'm a total crybaby.) But I am surprised that I didn't get tickets, yet may be published in a book. This seems weird to me.
If I do get into the book, I'll get a copy of it instead of payment or royalties, since all the proceeds go to the Terry Fox Foundation. Really, it's all the same to me. Just like being mentioned in liner notes, only moreso. I have a very minor Terry Fox obsession, so just being considered for a memorial book makes my tiny little heart jump with joy.
I think I'll walk in to work tomorrow past the Terry Fox Memorial for good luck.
Currently listening :
Be Your Own Pet
By Be Your Own Pet
Release date: 06 June, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
open bars are good
Just freshly home from a trip to the Okanagan-Similkameen. My cousin got married today (yesterday? I haven't slept yet) and my sister and I had to leave the open bar so she could be back in Vancouver for another wedding tomorrow morning.
My family, enormously extended, likes to drink. A great deal. It is above and beyond recreational. I have never, ever been to a family wedding that had a cash bar. That is not the kind of family we are. Yet, saying that, with us having to leave shortly after the toasts (and before our little cousins played their "set": 4 songs of something that required them to dress the same) I didn't get to really take advantage of the booze. This will stick with me until the next family wedding, which could be a while.
Between the ceremony and the reception, part of the family (mainly some of my older cousins, the oldest being a year younger than my dad) gathered in a nearby park and drank. Like, we couldn't even wait two hours to start drinking. So a couple of my cousins were pretty tipsy before dinner, as was my dad. I only got a couple of highballs in, thinking ahead that we wouldn't be stopping on the road for pee breaks. Sigh.
But it was fun. Weddings where I don't have to perform like a monkey seem to be the key to having good times.
I will be more forthcoming with some revelations these last two days away from home. Just not right now. Wait for it...
My family, enormously extended, likes to drink. A great deal. It is above and beyond recreational. I have never, ever been to a family wedding that had a cash bar. That is not the kind of family we are. Yet, saying that, with us having to leave shortly after the toasts (and before our little cousins played their "set": 4 songs of something that required them to dress the same) I didn't get to really take advantage of the booze. This will stick with me until the next family wedding, which could be a while.
Between the ceremony and the reception, part of the family (mainly some of my older cousins, the oldest being a year younger than my dad) gathered in a nearby park and drank. Like, we couldn't even wait two hours to start drinking. So a couple of my cousins were pretty tipsy before dinner, as was my dad. I only got a couple of highballs in, thinking ahead that we wouldn't be stopping on the road for pee breaks. Sigh.
But it was fun. Weddings where I don't have to perform like a monkey seem to be the key to having good times.
I will be more forthcoming with some revelations these last two days away from home. Just not right now. Wait for it...
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
four eyes
Tonight I picked up my new glasses. I look super nerdy, more than usual. It probably doesn't help that I'm wearing a shirt that says, "I rule" with a ruler above it.
Me = nerd. Or me = dork. (Which is worse? Being a nerd or a dork? Did Millhouse say that nerds were smart? I want to look smart.)
I am not afraid to say that I bought my glasses at Costco. The frames were really cheap and I still like them. And I'm used to getting glasses at unconventional places. The last glasses I bought in a train station in Japan. Those lasted me more than 4 years and are still tolerable.
Costco is not my friend, though. Just because I bought glasses doesn't mean I like going there. It made me share in the purchase of turkey pepperoni, mini burgers and bread with my card-holding friend, and a box of granola bars and a bag of potstickers for myself. I am not convinced I need any of it, but the damage is done. Seriously, who buys mini burgers?!
Tomorrow I'm hoping it's sunny because these are transition lenses and I'm hoping they don't look all '70s porn or anything, but that they are sort of sunglassy. I am fearful of cataracts. I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so it could be a while before I can see if the lenses work.
When I figure out how to resize photos (without a real photo program) small enough to be uploaded I'll post pictures of the glasses. And part of my face, maybe. Or will just wait until I get a copy of Photoshop from my friend and resize and post then. Or see if someone else can just take a frickin' picture of me so I don't have to take pictures of myself all the time. Geez.
I'm fine.
My snapdragons are still alive (!!!!) on my patio. So far, there are white-ish yellow flowers (yellowish white?) and fuschia flowers, with another clump of something preparing to bloom in the next week or so. Do you think snapdragons could live indoors, too? Through the winter? I want some plants to live at least a year before they all decide to die.
Did I mention my co-worker ran down a mouse in our workroom with her rolly chair? Apparently the body was still warm when the maintenance guy came by to dispose of it.
Me = nerd. Or me = dork. (Which is worse? Being a nerd or a dork? Did Millhouse say that nerds were smart? I want to look smart.)
I am not afraid to say that I bought my glasses at Costco. The frames were really cheap and I still like them. And I'm used to getting glasses at unconventional places. The last glasses I bought in a train station in Japan. Those lasted me more than 4 years and are still tolerable.
Costco is not my friend, though. Just because I bought glasses doesn't mean I like going there. It made me share in the purchase of turkey pepperoni, mini burgers and bread with my card-holding friend, and a box of granola bars and a bag of potstickers for myself. I am not convinced I need any of it, but the damage is done. Seriously, who buys mini burgers?!
Tomorrow I'm hoping it's sunny because these are transition lenses and I'm hoping they don't look all '70s porn or anything, but that they are sort of sunglassy. I am fearful of cataracts. I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so it could be a while before I can see if the lenses work.
When I figure out how to resize photos (without a real photo program) small enough to be uploaded I'll post pictures of the glasses. And part of my face, maybe. Or will just wait until I get a copy of Photoshop from my friend and resize and post then. Or see if someone else can just take a frickin' picture of me so I don't have to take pictures of myself all the time. Geez.
I'm fine.
My snapdragons are still alive (!!!!) on my patio. So far, there are white-ish yellow flowers (yellowish white?) and fuschia flowers, with another clump of something preparing to bloom in the next week or so. Do you think snapdragons could live indoors, too? Through the winter? I want some plants to live at least a year before they all decide to die.
Did I mention my co-worker ran down a mouse in our workroom with her rolly chair? Apparently the body was still warm when the maintenance guy came by to dispose of it.
Monday, August 21, 2006
mr. hockey
I think Gordie Howe walked past me as I waited for the bus yesterday morning. Is it possible he's only 5'6" tall now? I swear it was him.
He lives in Vancouver, as far as I know, since he owns part of the Vancouver Giants and is always at the games. I just can't imagine him living in my neighbourhood. He wasn't carrying a bag or anything. Just him walking up the street.
My brother-in-law is a paramedic and likes to inform me that my neighbourhoods are unsafe. This neighbourhood, apparently, has a drug treatment facility a few blocks away. Would Gordie Howe live near a drug treatment facility?
My friend lives in Dan Bejar's neighbourhood and sees him around. Another lives downtown and runs into actors constantly (including Dick Van Dyck!). Me? Well... I like my neighbourhood just fine, but it would bring it up to a whole new level if Gordie Howe lived near me.
Or, you know, if Blair and Heather would move into the neighbourhood, that would be rad, too.
Hey, did you hear the Dudes on that Rogers commercial? I mean, it's no Skatomatics in Telus commercial or Paper Moon in "Falcon Beach", but still.
Currently listening :
From a Basement on the Hill
By Elliott Smith
Release date: 19 October, 2004
He lives in Vancouver, as far as I know, since he owns part of the Vancouver Giants and is always at the games. I just can't imagine him living in my neighbourhood. He wasn't carrying a bag or anything. Just him walking up the street.
My brother-in-law is a paramedic and likes to inform me that my neighbourhoods are unsafe. This neighbourhood, apparently, has a drug treatment facility a few blocks away. Would Gordie Howe live near a drug treatment facility?
My friend lives in Dan Bejar's neighbourhood and sees him around. Another lives downtown and runs into actors constantly (including Dick Van Dyck!). Me? Well... I like my neighbourhood just fine, but it would bring it up to a whole new level if Gordie Howe lived near me.
Or, you know, if Blair and Heather would move into the neighbourhood, that would be rad, too.
Hey, did you hear the Dudes on that Rogers commercial? I mean, it's no Skatomatics in Telus commercial or Paper Moon in "Falcon Beach", but still.
Currently listening :
From a Basement on the Hill
By Elliott Smith
Release date: 19 October, 2004
Saturday, August 19, 2006
the open(ish) road
Just back from a little bike tweaking at OCB. The ride to the shop was a hard one, as we (Tangiene and I) had to actually cross Broadway and go up part of Main to get into an area safe enough to ride (we pushed our bikes up from my house, just to be on the safe side). It turns out my tires were a bit on the flat side, making it harder than it needed to be, but rode like a dream on the way home.
The tweaks were simple enough and our bike guides were most helpful and patient. This is the first time I've ever used any sort of tool on a bike. The last time I rode a bike was 6 years ago in my mountain village in Japan, and it was such a bitch to ride the mountain bike that I abandoned it. (FYI: the place to get air in rural Japan is not at the local gas station; it's at an actual bike shop, and can only be filled by one of the workers there.) Before that I rode a ten-speed in high school, but it, too, was abandoned towards the end of grade 12. I am a huge fan of this bike, though: a 5-gear Glider from the UK, a find at the Sally Ann in North Van.
The bad thing about today is that my chest cold/congestion seems to be getting worse. I have no idea what it is, but it feels weird and makes me dry cough. I'm meant to go to a couple of highly-anticipated events this evening, but I'm not sure I'm going to make it to any of them. Cough. I'm such a sissy.
Last night I went to a fundraiser for elementary school art programs at the Lamplighter. Was pretty fun, though I came home a little more deaf (why don't I carry earplugs anymore?).
Oh, I did see you on the corner of Main today. I realised it as you passed and I was in mid-conversation. How was the Robot Train?
Currently listening :
Overcome by Happiness
By The Pernice Brothers
Release date: 19 May, 1998
The tweaks were simple enough and our bike guides were most helpful and patient. This is the first time I've ever used any sort of tool on a bike. The last time I rode a bike was 6 years ago in my mountain village in Japan, and it was such a bitch to ride the mountain bike that I abandoned it. (FYI: the place to get air in rural Japan is not at the local gas station; it's at an actual bike shop, and can only be filled by one of the workers there.) Before that I rode a ten-speed in high school, but it, too, was abandoned towards the end of grade 12. I am a huge fan of this bike, though: a 5-gear Glider from the UK, a find at the Sally Ann in North Van.
The bad thing about today is that my chest cold/congestion seems to be getting worse. I have no idea what it is, but it feels weird and makes me dry cough. I'm meant to go to a couple of highly-anticipated events this evening, but I'm not sure I'm going to make it to any of them. Cough. I'm such a sissy.
Last night I went to a fundraiser for elementary school art programs at the Lamplighter. Was pretty fun, though I came home a little more deaf (why don't I carry earplugs anymore?).
Oh, I did see you on the corner of Main today. I realised it as you passed and I was in mid-conversation. How was the Robot Train?
Currently listening :
Overcome by Happiness
By The Pernice Brothers
Release date: 19 May, 1998
Friday, August 18, 2006
keener
Today I went to campus to get my student ID and U-Pass. I'm, like, hooked up. It took less than 5 minutes to get it all done and the picture is tolerable, though barely. I did it all today because I don't relish the thought of lining up with 18-year-old freshmen. Can you imagine me, a wrinkly old lady, around kids that have never left home before in a confined space for more than a couple of minutes?
Hahahahahaha.
It did really hit home that I'm going to start school in a few weeks. This is both terrifying and exciting. More towards the terrifying right now. Classes are a concern, sure, but enduring the 99 B-line bus on a daily basis, packed full of people, is the most terrifying. I need to get some earphones for my CD player ASAP. No need conversing with people if I don't have to.
Additionally, I got my hair colour evened out, so I don't have my mousy brown roots with blotchy blondeness anymore. Oh joy!
Hahahahahaha.
It did really hit home that I'm going to start school in a few weeks. This is both terrifying and exciting. More towards the terrifying right now. Classes are a concern, sure, but enduring the 99 B-line bus on a daily basis, packed full of people, is the most terrifying. I need to get some earphones for my CD player ASAP. No need conversing with people if I don't have to.
Additionally, I got my hair colour evened out, so I don't have my mousy brown roots with blotchy blondeness anymore. Oh joy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)