The Crowning Touch

Every tree needs a Tiara.
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(hard to post things in order, so bear with me and and keep reading below for the before picture).
Merry Christmas.

First there was a tree ...

The Before Picture
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You are probably noting that it leans slightly to the right. That's only because somehow we got a tree with a crooked trunk. It's been up for a week now and hasn't fallen over! (last year, fourth time was the charm.)

Almost finished...

The After Picture
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Parade

OK. I need to eat a little bit of crow because I had a very nice time at the parade. It was pretty cold out but the parade only lasted 1/2 an hour and there were llamas. For some reason I have this thing where I get really excited when I see a llama, but only when I'm not expecting to see one. Llamas at the zoo hold no interest for me whatsoever.

long time no blog...

So I've been busy *read - doing other stuff but perhaps not the traditional definition of busy* and didn't have much to say but it has started building up and now I have lots to talk about.

1. I'm definitely getting an MP3 player. Probably ordering one tomorrow or maybe later tonight.
2. I'm full on into my yearly snow denial. We had a serious amount of snow for three days. I don't like the snow except from December 24th to 26th. Then I would like it to warm up and become Spring/Summer. Those of us who suffer from seasonal affected disorder are pretty particular about our long days and warm temperatures. Besides there has never been an attractive snowboot. If you know of one please send me a picture.
3. Got together with some girlfriends last Friday for our now (hopefully!) monthly poker game. I missed the cards. I so enjoy playing and it justifies my addiction to poker on TV ... 'cuz I'm learning stuff. Can't imagine playing on-line or in a casino but fun to play with the girls. Although there is a lot more talking and much less playing that if there were guys present. I kind of like the more playing but hey I've always been a tomboy at heart. And I'm good enough to usually break even which means it is a cheap night out.
4. Had a big blow-up at work. One of the patrons (older lady with an ass the size of two beach balls glued together no this isn't relevant but I took the high road and simply left the situation and this is the only place I'll say it) started screaming at me after I tried to help her. I thought I was going to get slapped. Then she wrote a complaint against me. I keep getting little smiles from the staff so I'm pretty sure they're on my side but this woman keeps trying to provoke me by talking too loudly right by me, accusing me of hogging the photocopier, accusing me of crashing the computers (that was new today). It's actually one of the reasons I want the MP3, music and distraction without the hassle of my CD player. Took me about a week to come to peace - I realized that she only embarassed herself and that it is not about me and am doing my darnedest to ignore her.
5. Saw Pride and Prejudice last night. I'm still not a fan of Kiera Knightly but the lush cinematography and Matthey MacFadyen's eyes won me over. Obviously the BBC version still holds the greater place in my heart but this was a very enjoyable flick.
6. Just finished reading The Posionwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Ignore the Oprah sticker on the front. It was amazing. I normally won't read anything with the Oprah sticker on general principle but LS leant it to me and I couldn't put it down. I was predisposed to not like the father as he is a Missionary in the Congo and I disapprove of missionary work on moral grounds. Then I found out he believed girls didn't deserved a college education and hit them. Still an amazing book, the female characters are strong in their own ways and the vividness of the struggle of the Congo for independence takes on the role of a leading character. Read this book.
7. Made awesome dinners Saturday and Sunday night. Saturday we had lamchops with mint/basil pesto and sunday baked tilapia with fresh herbs and white wine. So yummy.

I'm really ready for the weekend but not especially looking forward. We're going to some Christmas parade on Saturday followed by a party in a small town away from the city. I am not the one who accepted this invitation. I like to be in the city. I don't like to be outside in the winter. I don't like parades. I especially don't like to be outside in a small town in the winter watching a parade. I've got to dig out my extra pants that fit over my jeans. I already am wearing two pairs of socks every day. All right, the two pairs of socks is mainly because firstly my "winter shoes" are too big and fit better with two pairs of socks and secondly because the majority of my cotton socks have holes in them. Happy Thursday.

tuesday

Another nice fall day. Normally I hate the Fall, the colours and leaves are just to distract us from the fact that winter is coming. I even wrote a poem in high school - Autumn as Death Shroud - However, after the steaming hot summer we had, I am more open to Autumn, at least while it's here and I can still get away with layering sweaters and not having to put on my winter coat.

Spent the day at the Archives and I have started a new system to drown out the crazies. OK, I'm sure they're not all crazy but a lot of them really like to speak loudly about finding great uncle Charlie twice removed from Thessalon. Not good for my concentration. I used to wear ear plugs but that is kind of sad and since I often have to wear them for sleep I would have them on 16 hours a day. Enter the CD player, today I got a lot of work done, people didn't annoy me nearly as much as they usually do and I listened to some good music - Johnny Cash, Dean Martin, Frank, Ella ...

Judging by my musical taste you might think me in my 60s or 70s... I just don't buy CDs of current bands, never really have, I listen to lots of new music on the radio, just don't buy it and don't download. The only downside is the hassle of carrying around my diskman and cds. Perhaps it is becoming time to move onto present day technology and get an MP3 player.

Must say that I am getting more and more excited for Walk the Line every day.

stuff

Stuff I've been thinking about over the last little while...

I need a haircut.
I'm very excited for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Rent to hit the movie theatres.
I highly recommend worn fashion journal. (site's still under construction but the publication is awesome!)
The weather is far too warm for November. I haven't worn a jacket for three days. Don't try and tell me Global Warming is a myth.
I am getting addicted to Poker on TV.
No carbonation month went really well, thinking about doing it again. I was definitely less bloated.
I need to get out and take pictures around the city or at least carry my camera, I'm always seeing this or that and wishing I had my camera.
Finished reading The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova, it was awesome. Also have recently finished and recommend:
Lamb, or the Gospel According to Biff, Christopher Lamb
Northern Lights, Nora Roberts
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling (ok, technically that's a re-read in anticipation for the movie but so good and awesome foreshadowing if you've read HP and the Half-Blood Prince)
How cute is this shoe? And, it comes in red.

It's a nice day and I don't have any fall pictures.
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judging professionals

And I'm not talking about Jurists.

Tuesday I had to go to the Dentist. I hate going to the dentist. I'm sure he's a very nice man and his hygenists are very nice people. But there is something about the dentist that just doesn't sit well with me. It's not the fact that they spend their lives poking around in people's mouths, which is pretty icky, but more the fact that they are constantly judging your oral hygeine and criticizing it when it is their job (and they are being pretty well paid) to clean your teeth and detect any problems.

I had financial issues, no insurance and had not been to the dentist in 10 years. I decided that it was more important to pay my rent, pay my taxes, eat and generally pay my cost of living than it was to go into even bigger debt just so someone could tell me I needed to spend more money on my teeth. After the BC and I had been living together for a year, I qualified for benefits under his insurance plan as the common-law spouse. Great. I go to the dentist and get THREE referrals, to the oral surgeon (for my wisdom teeth, which was needed and I do not begrudge), to the periodontist (who is suspiciously now married to said dentist) because I have receeding gums and to an orthodontis (who was invited to said dental/periodontal nuptials). I am not getting braces, they did enough to ruin my teenage years, and I am not having gum surgery. However, everytime I am at the dentist the topic comes up, and my emphatic "NO" with the implied *frickin' way ever, shut up and do your job* doesn't seem to be getting through.

Also, they have no idea what they're talking about; for kicks this time I decided to say that I had upped my flossing regimen from never to a couple of times a week. They praised me and said they could see a difference. Jackasses.

My other favourite judging professional (also not a jurist) is my pharmacist. Any time I pick up a prescription he looks it over, shakes his heads, gives me a pitying glance and hands it over. There is no need for that. He doesn't need to smile, I'd be happy with a neutral expression or even a "have a nice day." But no, he has to shake his head and look disapproving. I would change pharmacies but there isn't another one as convenient. (damn lazy self!)

the fabulous fall cold

I have been inactive this week, literally. I developed a sore throat on Monday night that by Wednesday had developed into a serious head cold, with a side order of laryngitis. As with many things that you abhored as a child, this policy of my mother has stuck with me for some reason: "Too sick to go to school/work; Too sick for TV." Fortunately, I'm very rarely too sick to read. As luck or fate would have it, I had just made a book run on the weekend and was well stocked. I have been alternating between The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, which is pretty hefty and a little scary and Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes, which is not scary but funny and poignant.

In under the Duvet Ms. Keyes describes how to know if you're an "Imelda," i.e. a person who values shoes above most things. I am cribbing her below and letting you know just how deep my own problem with footwear actually is ...

- I have bought shoes and never worn them because I didn't want to damage them. I have also bought shoes and never worn them because they were really painful, but so pretty on my feet as long as I didn't stand up.
- I am known to structure my day around the shoes I will be wearing. Especially if I am going out.
- I have spent more on shoes than I would on a holiday. I have bought shoes instead of groceries. I have spent more on shoes than my rent.
- I have been hurt by my shoes and I never blame the shoe.
- I do not loan my shoes to other people. They are my babies. Fortunately I am the proud owner of freakishly small feet, so this isn't really an issue.

Must run and meet the husband for dinner. He's been at a closing party for some deal, maybe he'll be in a really good mood and happy to discuss my new current obsession: Handbags.

the amazing disappearing contact lens

So my sister's wedding was this past weekend and it was beautiful and perfect and exactly as I had hoped it would be for her and her new husband.

And just so the evening wasn't without a little drama this is what happened:

Around 8:30 or 9:00 I blinked and noticed that there was an issue with my vision in my left eye. Not quite sure what was going on I decided to go to the washroom and see if I could see anything. Couldn't. Unsure as to whether my contact had fallen out or whether it had disappeared into the unreachable regions of my eye, I decided that it would be best to remove the one contact I was sure was in my eye and resume wearing my glasses.

(Small sidebar on my spectacles: I love wearing my glasses. Not only can I see properly and without blur, but they don't involve sticking my finger into my eye to put in and remove the contact lens. I am a random contact wearer, in fact the last time I wore them was for my own wedding)

Unfortunately my glasses were in the trunk of our rental car at the B&B where we were staying. Since I was effectively blind and it was dark, my gallant husband hoofed it there and back, returning with my beloved spectacles.
I tried to put the matter out of my mind and resumed having a lovely time (luckily I found that the bartender loves martinis as much as I do!). Got up the next morning, my eyes were pretty red (beyond hangover red, more like bleeding into the brain red), especially the left, but I just assumed that was from my trying to remove the contact that wasn't there. As I felt nothing, I assumed that it had fallen out and put it from my mind. We arrived home after our four hour drive, my portion of which was the 401 from Belleville to home. Came in, walked up the stairs, felt something in my eye, blinked hard a couple of times and looked in the mirror. There was my contact, all folded up on itself nicely in thirds just hanging out in my eye. BLECH, GROSS, YUCK. I removed it, and promptly made a pact with myself to A) be thankful it wasn't in my brain and B) NEVER wear those damned little lenses again.

BTW the shoes looked awesome with my dress and were very suited to the impromptu rock climbing we did to arrive at the picture location - many thanks to the groomsmen who helped the bridesmaids navigate the rocks after the husbands abandoned us for warmer surroundings!

life's too short ...

Yesterday as I was crossing the street. I waited for lights, started to cross, the SUV that should have been waiting decided to gun the engine and move forward. He stopped and when I gave him the "hello, I'm walking here" arm and shoulder shrug he leaned out his window and shouted "Life's too short, Hon."

Seriously. What does he mean by that? Life's too short for him to obey the traffic laws? Life's too short for me to be upset about a possible fatal introduction between his SUV and my body? Life's too short for him to have a passing thought about the nameless persons he almost injures every day?

I know exactly how short life can be. I spent my 19th birthday recovering from near-fatal internal injuries obtained after an encounter with a vehicle very similar to your big manly SUV. I am very aware of how short and precious life is, so go figure, I get upset when someone blatently disregards and disrespects my existence.

one of those days

1. it's getting cold
2. I ran down to pick up my Bridesmaid dress from the seamstress and it cost about the same as purchasing another one
3. I have a coldsore
4. smelly men stared at the coldsore on the subway (different ones, both ways)
5. Bridesmaid dress fell off hanger and almost blew into traffic
6. I'm still broke from not being able to work while my monitor was down and can't really afford the alterations but can't put them on Visa because she only takes cash. Who only takes cash? And then lets me walk out with the dress and not having paid? CRAZY! good thing I'm relatively honest.

OK. thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

literary themes

Do you ever notice that you unintentionally end up reading books of the same genre in cycles?

For the longest time I was stuck in Tudor England. Mainly due to my Philippa Gregory obsession. I finished The Virgin's Lover and ended up comparing it unfavourably to I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles. I prefer a stronger Elizabeth who is not under the thumb of a wiley and foppish man. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps, I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Having finished up all the Philippa Gregory books that I am currently interested in reading I have ended up on a new theme. Jewish women in the Renaissance. The first was The Witch of Cologne, Tobsha Learner which I very much enjoyed except for the fact that the author kept manifesting the supernatural in places where the circumstances of the story were quite strong enough.

Last night I finished The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi, Jacqueline Park. Awesome. The character's life is interwoven with artists, politics, war and religion. She is a strong women trying to keep her family together while being pulled in all sorts of different directions. I highly recommend this book.

While reading these I have also finished a couple of re-reads by Nora Roberts and Jo Beverley. I love my historical romance fiction.

I'm also very psyched as I just started The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger. I can't put it down. I almost missed my subway stop on purpose because I wanted to keep reading. That is the mark of a good book. I'm only on page 104 but will already recommend it.

why do they lie?

I'm not getting esoteric or even metaphysical, I'm just asking why people are always compelled to lie about the distance of one point to another. You know how far it is, you've been there before, why do you lie?

I often wear very impractical shoes. The distance of a destination from the starting point is a very important and crucial piece of information. If it is within a reasonable distance I will walk; if it is a little farther but too close to justify a taxi, I will wear walking shoes and bring the pretty ones to put on at the destination; if it is within taxi distance, I will take the taxi.

Two blocks is not ten blocks. This is a significant difference in distance, one that will often result in blood and pus.

If you ask me how far something is I will tell you. I will even differentiate between a long block and a regular block. Or alternatively tell you the outside time it would take me to walk it in comfortable shoes.

It's a simple thing, be accurate. My feet will thank you.

to dog or not to dog ...

So I'm thinking about getting a puppy dog (or young adult dog). I have spent many hours on the internet narrowing down the breed and the size and the general temperment and abilities I would like in a dog, now it is a matter of
A) convincing myself that this is something I can do
B) convincing the husband that this is something I (we) can do
C) finding someone reputable who has my dog for sale
D) convincing our landlord not to kick us out

Before C and D can happen I have promised the husband that I will go to an allergist to ensure that if / once we get a dog I will not be overcome and incapacitated by my sinuses. I am very allergic to dog dander, my sister's beautiful dog Stanley induces fits of sneezing worthy of the Guinness book of world records. (how cute is he in his Christmas Sweater though?)

So although no dog is technically hypoallergenic I have decided to go with the most allergy friendly dog there is (that I still think is cute). A miniature poodle. People laugh but the poodle is one of the smartest and easiest to train dogs there are. Although I know people frown on dogs in an apartment, I work from home and will be here 3-5 days a week with the dog and if I had to be away and couldn't get home during the day I would get a dog walker. I have just purchased Dogs for Dummies as Weddings for Dummies was a lifesaver. I'll let you know what I find out and how the decision making process is going.

Sandwiches

Anyone who knows me well, is either groaning or wondering what took me so long to write about my favourite lunch food. I love a good Sandwich, however a GOOD sandwich is actually harder to find than you might think.

Three or four days a week, I go to the local Bagel place for turkey, tomato and cucumber on a bagel. They recently hired some new staff and I have given up trying to explain how to make my sandwich properly. They are intent on putting the mustard on the side of the bread next to the vegetables. This is wrong. Trust me. I come home and add my own mustard in the proper place. The basic order of sandwich preparation should follow these guidelines, with exceptions as noted below.

Bread
Mustard
Meat
Cheese
Vegetable
Salt and Pepper
Mayonnaise
Bread

Mustard does not complement vegetables. Mayonnaise does not complement meat. Why mix them up?
Cheese is complementary to both meat and vegetables, but not mustard or mayonnaise.
Butter is unnecessary unless you are grilling the sandwich, in which case it goes on the outside of the bread.
I enjoy a nice vegetarian sandwich on occasion, in which case there is no need for mustard.
If going for a lower fat content, nix the mayo but still only put mustard next to the meat. Spice up the veggies with salt and pepper.
Goat Cheese is a nice substitution for mayonnaise and is an exception to the cheese in the middle rule.
If making a Pita sandwich, substitute hummus, tzatziki, tahini, Italian salad dressing for mustard or mayonnaise.
Always use the best bread possible. It makes a huge difference.

quick question

How stupid do "they" really think we are? I just read the instructions on my mouthwash: Use in the morning, after eating and before social engagements.
Almost up there with the "The beverage in the cup is extremely hot, use caution when consuming" warning on every coffee cup ever handed out.

On a different note, I am off to Ottawa in a few hours to help throw my sister's wedding shower and bachelorette party. I'm looking forward to it but feel guilty because I have been instructed by my mother, god-mother, and everyone else to bring my wedding pictures. It's not my day anymore, it's the sister's. I am simply a bridesmaid - my duty is to help where I can and bring an attractive element to the proceedings. Not distract loads of attention from her at the party held in her honour. Here's hoping I can keep this to a minimum. Wish me luck.

guilty pleasures

I was reading my friend KB's blog regarding her feelings on the television program RockStar INXS and it got me thinking about how much I've been enjoying the show. I really like the music and as an added bonus I've turned my husband into a fan. His first question on arrival home last night just before 11 was "Who'd they kick off?" I'm pretty sure he didn't mean to make the pun but I laughed just the same.

I've also been thinking about other little things that give me pleasure. For example, potato chips, trashy romance novels, silly ringtones for my mobile, but mostly bad TV. I'm home alone, a lot. I work from home and BC is usually not home until between 10 and 11. The TV is on all evening. Sometimes I'm watching it, sometimes it's just background noise. I've been trying to make an effort to read more in the living room with the radio for company. I went in there the other day and found that I didn't feel like it was my space. I felt like a visitor in my own home. So I am on a mission to spend more time there and fill it with my energy. Besides, we have the best Chaise Lounge EVER and it is so comfy and perfect for reading.

Picked up a couple of books today, The Virgin's Lover, Philippa Gregory. Contemplated picking up the book that follows Wideacre, but really had no desire to find out how the trilogy ends. The Virgin's Lover is all about Elizabeth I (my favourite feminist) and Robert Dudley. Can't wait to sink into it. Also picked up The Witch of Cologne, Tobsha Learner, about a Jewish midwife accused by the Inquisition.
Fortunately I have 8 hours on the train this weekend to really sink my teeth into these.

However, I will not be starting them tonight as it is the season premier of The OC. It's so bad but so good. Other shows that I should not watch, but can't help myself: America's Next Top Model, The Apprentice, Miami Ink, Monster Garage, ...

's o.k.

As I lay in bed last night not sleeping I realized that the initials of my blog are a pretty good motto. A way of living and letting things go.
's o.k. can mean

no worries
you're welcome
I'm fine
apology accepted

I'm a big fan of trying not to sweat the small stuff and remembering that in the long run, very little matters except how you conduct yourself and treat others. Note that I said I'm a big fan, this does not mean that I always succeed. But the little things add up and can really make you feel better.

Moving on to other less esoteric stuff. I am still uncarbonated. I switched my usual diet coke for diet iced tea, still has that lovely aspartame after-taste and comes in a can so I don't feel like I've given up everything. Kind of missed the fizzy though last night when I realized that beer is carbonated.

The world must have shifted a little because I just heard the door buzzer and was able to receive a package! hooray! I do enjoy getting packages. If only they weren't all work related.

What else is new ? We cooked a duck on Sunday night. It was really good and once BC decided to stop playing "watch the duck puppet dance" it was pretty easy. I have issues with raw meat. I don't touch it. I will back away from it or leave the room. Some irrational fear of salmonella or a traumatic incident from my childhood that I've repressed? Who knows, just keep it away from me.

It's the first day of school. Although I love not being a student, there's always been something hopeful about the first day of classes. Seeing what you'll be learning, meeting old and new friends, and blank notebooks full of possibilities. What's more exciting than that?

who knew how great it is to go outside?

I had the nicest day. I went to the Archives and worked all day, then took a meander up Bay Street from College to Bloor then along Bloor to Avenue Road for some window shopping. mmm... so convenient that the Louis Vuitton is right next door to Chanel. Maybe someday I'll go inside the stores.

I must say I very much enjoyed the freedom of my day. As much as I have very strong Hermit tendencies, this forced confinement was not satisfying. I did learn that if the dog that lives behind us is outside and I spray my "can of air" near the window he goes nuts with the barking. I know that's not very nice but you have no idea how bored I was.

I have declared September no carbonation month. I am not drinking anything carbonated. This will be a bit of issue as 90% of my normal liquid intake is carbonated but I am going to be strong. I'll let you know how it goes. Fortunately though the Vodka Martini is shaken it is not fizzy.

In other news, Tripping the Velvet was an interesting novel, that it was a lesbian romance novel didn't occur to me until the first intimate scene. I'm usually pretty quick on the uptake. The story was quite enjoyable and the writing style was very pretty. If she ever writes something that doesn't make you feel like you're reading lesbian porn I will be the first to purchase it.

I'm looking for new books, so if anyone has suggestions please let me know (I've figured out my comments section so that you can actually comment without having to get a blogger account.)

I feel a little guilty having had such a good day with what happened in the Southern US and in Iraq. - Thoughts and Good Energy to all those who are in need.

accidental vacation ...

I have been absent, but not by choice. I came home last Wednesday and discovered that my computer monitor had decided that it did not work anymore. After trying everything I could think of, I called the company where we bought it to determine if
a. it was still under warranty
b. if not under warranty should we get it repaired or replaced.

To my great relief it was still under warranty and they would replace it, in two* business days. (*two business days on Pluto)

This meant that I waited at home Thursday, Friday and Monday, at 4 pm on Tuesday I called back to enquire as to the whereabouts of my monitor. I was told it was ready for pick-up at the UPS depot. I said "Wow, that's great, too bad no one told me and I'd asked for it to be delivered."
Fortunately it arrived today and my forced technology withdrawal is over. Waiting for couriers is not my favourite activity. I can't leave the apartment because Murphy's law states that I will miss them in the 5 minutes it takes for me to go and get coffee, have a shower, buy a newspaper ... I have been very very bored for the last 5 weekdays. Not to mention the fact that I couldn't work because I had no computer and couldn't go to the archives to work because I had to wait for the courier.
Daytime TV sucks and I re-read three books and napped a lot (right next to the door buzzer, just in case)

Had a nice weekend though, visited my husband's parents at their camp near Lake Simcoe. We don't see them as often as we'd like so it was really nice to see them and just hang out.

Sunday Shopping Rocks

You may remember my previous post where I lamented that I could not afford to spend a very large amount of money on shoes for my sister's wedding. Well look what I found today for a reasonable amount of money. So pretty and yet so elegant. Can't wait to find a pair of brown pants to wear with them! I think they'll look great with Jeans too! I was going to buy a home foot spa but got distracted by the shoes ... So a bathtub pedicure it is tonight instead of a relaxing foot soak with jets and massage. Maybe I can beg my husband into rubbing my feet.

On other, less foot related topics, I just started to read Wideacre by Philippa Gregory. I know this book was published originally in the 80s, but I hadn't realized that I'd read it before until I reached page 175. It's ok but nowhere near as good as The Other Boleyn Girl or Earthy Joys. I'm excited though because I think I have a real winner in the cue. Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters.

Also, had the best steak for dinner last night - seared quickly on both sides (no more than 30 seconds) then let it sit and cook on the second side, add a cup of balsamic to the pan to reduce for about 8 minutes then remove the steak and let the balsamic reduce a little more. AMAZING, gives the steak a sweetness and it just melts in you mouth. (the bottom will look black but it isn't burned it's just the balsamic). We served it on a bed of arugula with carmelized onions on top. I love www.foodtv.ca. I am going to use the leftover arugula to make pesto.

sweet smell of the city

I love the city, I can't imagine living anywhere else and being as happy as I am (obvious exceptions of course being other cities). I love the diversity, the fast pace and the constant change. There are one or two things that I could live without though.

Todays ride on the 511 Street Car down Dundas St. was one of them. Whilst trying to avoid standing next to the man who had already urinated in his pants I ended up standing between Insulting Self-Talker, who took every opportunity to make rude comments about those seated around him but did not offer him a seat and Man Carrying Purse, not a "Man Bag" but a PURSE. I know this because he opened the bag and there was a mirror on the inside of the flap.

On the return ride, I was surprisingly refreshed to end up seated next to a woman, who had bathed recently, didn't talk to herself, and to all outward appearances seemed to be quite pleasant. I wondered if perhaps I had gotten on the wrong car.

flowers

just because I felt like sharing some pretty.

weekend

What a great time was had this weekend at RER and BM's wedding. Not only did my very good friend get married and I've never seen her happier, but I got to spend good quality time with some friends that I haven't seen in years and may not see again for a number of years ...

Seeing everyone and falling right back into our banter, although a little older, a little wiser and with slightly less energy at midnight than we used to have, made me thankful for my friends and hopeful that in 20 years we will still be in touch and be able to gather around a couple of pitchers of beer and be as comfortable as we were at 22.

To the Crew that couldn't make it: you were missed but we did our best to do justice to home for a rest.

mmm... Friday

So another week has come and almost gone. I have to say that the happiest I have been this week was the time I spent yesterday surfing for shoes I cannot afford on the internet.

Now when I say I cannot afford these shoes, I mean that they are in the realm of dreams. However, I have a plan to add one pair of ridiculously expensive shoes to my wardrobe. 12 short months from now my student loans will be paid off, and in homage to this momentous occasion, I am taking my loan payment the first month I don't need to use it to repay the government for my emminently unemployable degrees and buying shoes. Just a simple pair of Manolo's or Christian Louboutin's or maybe even Rene Caovilla (although the Caovilla's would have to be on sale). I have dubbed these shoes my End of Student Loan Celebratory Shoes. So to get a start on the exhaustive process of turning my fantasy shoes into reality I have begun looking at what's new to try and detect the trends for next fall. If it was next year right now, these
are the ones I would buy (they would look gorgeous with my bridesmaid dress for my sister's wedding at Thanksgiving).

I have been lucky enough to have been spoiled by my husband and the best outlet mall in the world to have in my custody one pair of Chanel (bought at 31 Rue Cambon, Paris), one pair of DiSandro (bought for my wedding, although I don't recommend 4" heels, no matter that they're the prettiest wedding shoes ever, for such a long day, I ended up in my sandals for most of the reception) and two pair of YSL bought at 70% off at The Mall just outside Florence. Unfortunately it's hard to go back to Payless when you've had your feet in the good stuff ....

things that make me smile

Receiving a text message
My husband when he laughs so hard he gives himself the hiccups (which are nice normal hiccups, unlike mine)
Mail that isn't a bill
Unexpectedly hearing a song you'd forgotten but still know all the words to
Deloitte and Touche (invert the first letters, yes it's juvenile but I laugh every time)
My wedding ring - I did not change my last name so had Mrs. C------ engraved in my wedding band.
Puppies learning how to swim - Congratulations Scooby!

with a bang and a whimper

Worst ways to wake up:
fire alarm
loud "fire alarm-like" alarm clock
horror at thinking you've slept in but really it's only 4 am
dog or cat sitting on your face until you start to twitch from suffocation

but today was brilliant. I fell out of bed. yup, fell, onto my ass, on the floor beside the bed. I think it went something like this:

I'm asleep, soundly, wearing my earplugs, I hear a humming noise that I assume is the radio telling me to get out of bed. I roll over to the other side and hit the snooze button, immediately falling right back into my very sound sleep. The radio goes off again and not realizing that I've already made the initial move and that this action is actually "snooze #2" I rolled again. Right off the bed. I scraped my ankle and knee. Not an auspicious start to the day.

AND I have somehow gotten the hiccups. If you are one of those people for whom the hiccups are a minor nuisance, go away. My hiccups are full body, loud, painful and usually end with vomit. They upset my stomach that much. Must go drink sugar/salty water from the wrong side of the glass.

books of my times

So, I have recently finished re-reading the Josephine B. Trilogy by Sandra Gulland. I had read it before a couple of times, but now that I have actually been to Paris, it seemed to be calling me as I could put images besides the descriptions of various buildings, like the Tuilleries, the Louvre and Palais Royal (the Metro stop closest to our hotel). It was so enjoyable. I love the style of the book, built as a journal with extracts from actual letters and other historical documents as context. Such an amazing story, a well known story, but perspective really makes it original and compelling.

I have also recently finished The Deptford Trilogy by Robertson Davies. This is my friend NJ's favourite book and I was really hoping to enjoy it. Admittedly there were passages that blew me away with the narrative and writing, unfortunately it fell often into the pedantic rhythm that - in my opinion - so often plagues Canadian writers, writing about Canada. My favourite of the three was the final book but without the context of the previous two it would have been like drinking a fine wine on an empty stomach.

The third of my recently finished is The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. I really enjoy her writing. The characters make me smile, I easily identify with them (especially some of the wedding dilemmas in Shopaholic Gets Married as I was planning my own wedding.) It's not destined to become a "classic", but a lovely way to spend a couple of hours, occasionally laughing out loud. And her books will always have a space on my shelf.

another thing about bathing

we were on an island in the St. Lawrence River this weekend - thanks CA for an amazing time - but there was only a little shower and I just decided that since I was swimming there was no need to wash my hair. I actually didn't brush it either.
sometime's it's nice not to bathe.

bathing ...

I am starting to have some serious Shampoo issues. I decided to switch conditioners because I was getting far too much build-up. Unfortunately, I am still working through the matching shampoo. I go through conditioner three times more quickly than I go through shampoo and my husband's need to have an "inventory" of everything we use on a regular basis means that I still have one bottle of shampoo to go. I readily acknowledge that I use three to five times as much conditioner as shampoo when washing my hair. I know you are not supposed to use a lot of shampoo, but conditioner just feels so good and if I don't use a lot I get nasty tangles. What this means is that I won't be able to try a new shampoo and conditioner brand pairing for about another 6 or 7 weeks. Since I don't dye my hair anymore (until the grey becomes noticeable from more than 12 inches away) I like to try new shampoos and conditioners. I like the feeling of order when they match, it's a nice way to start the day - if that part of your life is in order why can't everything else?

legends

I'm working and listening to my new Johnny Cash CD and have to say it is one of the best investments I've made lately (shoes don't count, they're always spectacular). I don't normally buy CDs and I don't download. I just listen to the Radio. Either Toronto's Jazz FM91 or BBC 6 (in my links column). I love the Johnny Cash. Reminds me of my childhood and my father. Reminds me of sitting in A&J's living room drinking beer in Vancouver. Reminds me of the Muppet Show. That's all for now. Just felt like sharing.

smells like rain

Summer is the season of smells. Some are beautiful and full of memories. Freshly cut grass, newly dug earth, a tomato right out of the garden. It's been so hot lately that any hint of rain brings with it a glimmer of hope that maybe tonight will be comfortable for sleeping. Also reminds me of being at summer camp the week that it poured rain one afternoon everywhere except for our campsite. We were in the eye of the storm, you could literally stand, half in the rain and half out. I love the cleasing a good rain brings, the feeling of newness and nourishment.

When I lived in Vancouver I had a very different relationship with the rain, more adversarial. It liked to threaten, tease and soak. That it would rain on any given day was just something you took for granted. I began to appreciate the colour blue. I never had before, always took it for granted that when you look up you see sky, sometimes clouds but usually there is beautiful sky. In Vancouver this was not the case. You looked up most of the time you saw grey. The colours of the sky at various times of day are amazingly different, it can change from the palest, whitest blue to the richest, deep sapphire. Amazing how deprivation enhances appreciation. I try to remember how I felt back then and appreciate the little things, some people say smell the roses, I say look at this amazing world we live in and appreciate and thank it for sustaining us, physically and emotionally.

crossing the street

Three times today in my quiet neighbourhood, I was almost run over. Once, by an AMBULANCE. I am a very cautious street crosser. I watched the light turn. The little man light up. I looked right, everything was stopped. I looked left, no cars. I took two steps. All of a sudden, out of nowhere from the left comes a very loud siren noise. Scared the devil out of me. I jumped back on the sidewalk as an ambulance which had come screeching up the road without any noise whatsoever decided that it needed to get through the light. I swear my heart didn't calm down for 10 minutes.

Later that day, I am crossing from the opposite side of the street, notice that the older woman turning right is not even going to look to see if there are pedestrians (which there always are!). After I begin to cross, the left turner decides to also not look and I have to break into a run in order to not be hit by the large, off-road, unnecessary in the city vehicle that is now careening around the corner.

Now I need to have a nap. It was a very stressful day.

wish I was here ...

beautiful, peaceful, and lots of cool water to cool off in.

and another thing

1. Tim Burton is brilliant. Just back from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Amazing.

2. The most amazing book. I can't believe I forgot to put it on my list. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini. Words cannot describe the beauty and agony this story evokes.

ramblings

Today, Harry Potter 6 Eve, I have decided to ramble on about the books I am currently reading, have read recently and simply love.
"Favouritism" when it comes to books is a fluid concept with me. There are those that I hold dear in my heart, those whose writing astounds me with its beauty and those that I wish I had written myself they resonate so soundly with me.

Books read recently* (*they still resonate even though first reading may have been two years ago)

Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks - WW1, you'll feel like you've been there.
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Dai Sijie - opened my eyes to something I knew nothing about
The Rule of Four, Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason - more plausible than the Da Vinci Code and riveting in its own way
Artemisia, Alexandra Lapierre - scholarly work written as a narrative, the true story of an exceptional artist and woman
Adam's Curse, Bryan Sykes - a rare venture into non-fiction, the story of the Y chromosome
The Virgin Blue, Tracy Chevallier - just as beautiful as Girl with Pearl Earring
Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi - so relevant and should be required reading for anyone who can read
The Red Tent, Anita Diamant - hearbreakingly beautiful

Just Finished

Passion, Jude Morgan - I'm a sucker for author recommendations on a cover, this was recommended by Tracy Chevallier. A really interesting read about the Romantic Poets Keats, Byron and Shelleyn and the women who loved them. Could have used a little more editing though, jumped around a lot without context.

Currently Reading

The Salmon of Doubt, Douglas Adams

in the cue

The Deptford Trilogy, Robertson Davies
Garden of Venus, Eva Stachniak
and of course, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling

I love books. I am going to get into trouble soon as I am running out of shelf space and have already started doubling up, which is frustrating since you can't see what you have. Someday I will catalogue them and store them in a more logical manner than my current method: ones I really love, ones I really love but won't fit on the shelf, paperback candy, girl books [chicklit] and classics.

sleep, beautiful sleep

my usual morning routine is this:
wake briefly to say good bye to Husband as he heads off to work and immediately conk right back out
wake to the alarm (that he sets for me)
hit snooze 3 to 5 times
get up
putter around on the computer reading email, the news -I like the NYTimes, esp. the Arts, Fashion and Home sections. I also check the CBC, Canoe and BBC - I check the weather, maybe do a crossword puzzle and read the blogs I like to follow, I also might play a quick game (or seven) of solitaire
Then I start working, taking a break around 11 to have a shower and get dressed.

This morning I was not awoken by an alarm and woke up "naturally" around 11. oops.

I am thrilled. I know I fell asleep in about 1/2 an hour last night, as opposed to the 3 and 4 hour toss and turn marathons I've been having for the last month or so. I count the extra 3 hours as time that was owed to me.

My insomnia issues are complicated and I won't bore you with psychobabble. But it's hard to explain to my husband who thinks it's odd if it takes him more than 5 minutes to fall asleep.
I lie there, jealous that he's asleep, blaming his deep breathing/snoring for keeping me awake (I do wear earplugs) and after three or four hours, essentially the cycle goes like this : jealousy, anger, anger with self for being so irrational, stomping off to other room to sleep on the couch, not getting comfortable, coming back to bed, jealousy, anger, ...

So basically I'm hoping the pills my Dr. gave me will help me get on a more regular schedule so that I can go back to my normal 1/2 hour fall asleep time ... I had tried everything else, deep breathing, meditation, sleepy teas, warm milk (blech btw), vodka (this worked but wasn't a very good plan so I abandoned it after one night), no caffeine at all during the day, etc., so really the pills were my last resort.

also maybe the weather will break and it won't feel like 40 degrees in the apartment. It's hard to sleep when if any part of your body touches another part they're stuck together by sweat.

pretty picture

just thought I'd share another photo from Europe. I'm in a blogging mood since with the help of KB I figured out how to add a "links" list but don't really have anything to say. I'm sweating quite profusely and killing time until my Yoga class. However I'm finding that the heat is quite good for my flexibility. Now if only imagining I practiced every day had the same effect as actually practicing every day.

confessions ...

My husband and I are foodies. We're not too serious, we don't only go to restaurants with 5 star ratings or eschew a good burger ... but once or twice a month we have "fancy cookin' dinner" where we go through our cookbooks or surf the web for interesting recipes. This weekend we feasted on Fois Gras with Sherry and Shallot Sauce followed by Magret of Duck, Parsnip and Foie Gras puree and a sherry and vinegar sauce.
It's fun to do and since he works until 10 most nights during the week it gives us some good "together time."

Although I am on a strictly salad diet this week to try and counteract all the fat from that one dinner. Good thing I had my cholesterol checked last week.

I actually did something interesting for work today. Took about 15 minutes but boy was it exhilerating!

boycott dilemma

So I was flicking around the TV last night and noticed that Interview with a Vampire was playing. I was initially excited because I haven't seen the film in a long time. Then I remembered my boycott of the Tom Cruise. So I did not watch the movie. But would it be OK to re-read the book? He had nothing to do with its creation

confusion ...

Things I don't understand:

Terrorism. Why does killing innocent people help any cause?

Running for the Subway. There will be another in 2 minutes.

Bjork. Seriously, I don't understand the appeal. Perhaps I'm not sophisticated enough in my musical taste, or maybe I'm too sophisticated ....

Retaliation. Why does bombing the bombers ever seem like a good idea. Making them even madder has to be a brilliant plan.

Jaywalking. Admittedly, after having been hit by a vehicle, I'm more cautious than most, but when is jaywalking while holding a small child ever a good plan?

Parking illegally and then complaining about the ticket. I'm so glad the laws of the land don't apply to you.

Reality TV contestants. I'm not saying I don't watch the occasional show - I'm addicted to anything fashion related - but who really thinks that the experience is going to make their lives better?

Everytime I buy an existing herb window box, the chives and parsely die within a week. (I tried growing parsley from seeds ... it's not going well either.)


my heart and prayers are with all those injured and bereaved in London.

where is the end?

Today, rainy and humid, I sit working -procrastinating- at home before heading out to pick some things up, I have been wondering, when is a job more than a job? What is the difference between a job and a "career"? I used to really enjoy my job, it challenged me, I learned something new everyday, I was constantly doing different things. Lately I have been doing the same thing day after day after day after day ... It's not as much fun anymore. A lot of it has to do with my working from home and the lack of variety in the projects they can assign me in my "remote" office. I really need human contact. My husband works really long hours and his usual return from the office time is 10pm. I am trying to get out more and to meet people and make new friends, but like my good friend KB said, "We're not 10 anymore, you can't send a note saying Would you like to be my friend? check Yes/No."

So I am slowly getting up the nerve to look for a new job. When you have relatively low self-esteem job hunting is not one of the best activities.

BTW, saw the CanStage production of Much Ado About Nothing in High Park in Toronto on Sunday and highly recommend checking it out! It was great. http://www.canstage.com

drowning in pictures

I just got back from picking up 10 enlargements of pictures from my honeymoon (I've been married now for about 6 weeks!). In our living room we have two tall free-standing frames for five pictures each and we like to switch up the content so that we (and any guests) aren't always looking at the same thing. Secretly, I also like to show off my limited ability with a camera. I have to say that of the 375+ pictures we took I have a clear favourite. Of course when you're in Venice, it's hard to take a bad picture.

later that same day

I was just thinking about what my husband and I are going to get up to this long weekend. Hooray for Canada Day falling on a Friday! We have absolutely nothing planned and will probably end up at the movies ...

but then I remembered that really the only thing I'd want to see is War of the Worlds and I am boycotting Tom Cruise. His need to publicize his views on psychiatry and depression is inappropriate and irresponsible. I am all for free speech, differing opinions and alternative therapy but I believe that someone who has such a public persona should really be responsible about what they say and think of who their audience is and who might be affected by their comments. I have no doubt that there are probably people who need help that will not now seek out someone to who can provide support. Everyone should be responsible for themselves and do the necessary research and find what works for them be it therapy, medication or simply some soul searching.

To make a long story short, if anyone wants a VHS copy of Top Gun, you're free to have mine.

letting my inner geek shine

Two nights ago I did something a little nerdy, well really nerdy. I went to see the Symphony perform music from all 6 Star Wars movies. Wait, it does get geekier, I sat in the 3rd row. Making the whole experience a little surreal was the fact that the show was written and narrated by Anthony Daniels - for those who may live on another planet, he's C3PO. Please note that neither I, nor my escort, were dressed up - unlike the surprisingly large number of people who decided it was appropriate to attend in their best StormTrooper ensembles.

I had a really great time and really enjoyed the power of the music to evoke the feelings and memories I have associated with seeing the films.

The most surprising thing that happened was what I realized:

I hate encores. yup. hate them. At the end of a concert, I'm tired, my butt is usually asleep and the musicians have been working very hard, let's all go home. If you had a song that you wanted to play, don't save it up, just play it. What if you don't get the encore and you saved your best stuff for last? No one would ever know how great you could be.

and now for something completely different

So here I am. I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while and it just seemed like the right time. I'm not planning on getting really deep, just posting random stuff that comes to me during the day. I work at home and can get pretty punchy at times from lack of human contact.

Some thoughts that have occurred to me in the last couple of days:

The most philosophical muppets are green. Kermit, Yoda, Oscar ....

Other people's weddings are always less convenient than yours was.

They are roofing my building and everytime they climb up the ladder right outside my window I'm scratching something embarrassing.

No matter what they are, leftovers always suck.