Post Secret...

A couple weeks ago, I was introduced to this wonderful website. Caution, it can get a little sketchy, but man there is some great stuff on here. Check it out...

PostSecret: an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard

The Way I See It #52....

"True Story: Recently I eavesdropped on a conversation between two twenty-something employees at a local Starbucks. I listened as the barista mused about his taste in music. Then the cashier asked him if he had ever heard the song "Strawberry Fields Forever." After a pause, the barista answered, "No, can't say I ever heard that one before." That's when I knew there really was such a thing as a generation gap."

Free Marc Emery?

Yesterday...I met this man.

Yes...it's true. For Moral Issues and Ethics, I had to do a group presentation on the legalization of marijuana. So, I tell this one guy in my group "Why don't you just phone the marijuana party, ask a few questions". So he does, and asks if someone is willing to come to our class and speak. And guess who came?

You guessed it - the Prince of Pot himself. Honestly, it was kind of mind boggling. This man is the leader of the B.C. Marijuana party. He has been arrested 21 times, and put in jail 17. Currently, he faces extradition to the US where he could face a life sentence for selling seeds and "laundering" the profits into pro cannabis legalization activities. Basically, the DEA wants him big time.

And he just came to our presentation. This guy was a hard core politican. He saw himself as a martyr, pushing foward the cause of "freedom". Not your average pot head. He related marijuana to music, Jesus (ya I know, hard to believe), farming. You name it. He spoke on it. The craziest part is - he is probably going to jail FOR LIFE in the US. And he's alright with it. He certainly believed what he was preaching. We shook his hand, took some pictures, and basically laughed the whole time. Could not even believe it.

Pull Quotes

"Plant the seeds of freedom...Overgrow the government" - the quote he wrote on my very own "cannabis culture magazine". oh man.

"Take a good look at your CD collection, put the ones on one pile that have been influenced by drugs. Now take a look at the other pile...you don't even WANT that pile" - in regards to pot & creativity

"The first time you smoke up, just go to the woods, to a very natural place...and take your bible" - please imagine these words directed at an entire TWU classroom. laughing sooo hard.

So, we are left with one big question: "Free Marc Emery?"

Tea & Kennedy...

This morning is being spent with a Bombay Fog (Chai, Cinnamon, Steamed Milk) and my good friend John F. Kennedy. I should feel stressed, I have another paper to start tommorow. But here is the thing - I don't feel stressed. I feel ridicously contented. It's a nice place to be...

My Night In Pictures...

Ipod, therefore I am....

From the article "I am not the Man - So Stick it to someone Else" sent from the Gord Downie:

"However, I would just like to point out the fact that in this present day and age, you need an ipod to listen to your anomalous, whiny music. That's right, you need to shell out a good fist full of coin just so that you hear Death Cab for Cutie bellyache to the melody of synth and snare drum all day long. How can you expect anyone to take you seriously when you say "down with conformity" and all the while a pair of Mac-buds are dangling from your gauged ears"

Joy to the fishies in the deep blue sea...

That is me, and my "sister". I found this picture on her blog, and sure liked it. So now, you can all look at us.

What is your favourite word?

So tonight, Matt and I were having a conversation about "the most beautiful words in the English language". He told me that Tolkien once said that "cellar door" was the most beautiful phrase in the English language. If you want to know why, click here.

Now, I am not sure if I agree. But it probed a discussion of "favourite words". I found a site with some funny suggestions. I want to know what you guys think - favourite and least favourite words.**

Here are my cop-out answers, but I will think on it more:

Home
Grace
Sensual

From others (check out the links):

Acquiesce (Matt)
Foreboding (Matt)
Soprano saxophone
Nevermore
Sparkle
Mellifluous

And ones we hate:

Moist
Brainstorm

**It doesn't have to relate to the meaning at all. Tolkien just liked the sound, you can hate it because of the "noise" it makes or whatever. I know that mine are very meaning based. Sorry.

If you a keener and into this, check out these sites:

BBC's Top Ten Best Words
A Collection of Words and Oddities
Favourite words from authors -beautiful really

Why am I not in the UK?

Honestly, it is absolutely KILLING me right now. I know I just said I love where I live, and I do. But I tell you this, when you pack your parents off and send them to London, Spain & Italy, you start to wonder. They left this morning, and the sad fact remains - I am still here.

THIS is where I live...

Enough said.

Do you ever worry that you watch too many movies?

Because I know I do. It's strange to me, because there was a time when watching too many movies wasn't ok. We were told that we must "play outside" or "get some fresh air". Movies were the very last resort for an activity. And now - such is not the case. In fact, there is even a possibility that if you love movies enough, you can be labelled as a "movie buff" and in this scenario its more than fine to watch a movie. Heck - its your hobby! Could I be in this category? Probably not, so alas, I just watch a lot of movies and am not the said "buff".

Yet, there is something to watching a good movie, one that actually makes you stop and think. You know, question your way of thinking, understanding and all of that. Which is not to say that I always watch movies of this nature. But I guess I do quite a bit.

Now its my turn to ask: Blogworthy? Doubtful, just thinking and wondering what some fellow movie watchers might add..

Recent:

Before anyone can think of a sassy comment, it has sjp and mcconaughey. so shut it.
2nd time round - for ethics class, good movie this one.

Once again, ethics class - this movie is great. The visual effects, and the ideas. I love how it begins with the "not too distant future" instead of 2010. Because, it can still remain valid. In case you can't read the tagline: "There is not gene for the human spirit". Good movie, bad tagline.

For the record...

I have not, or will not ever promote the love of Leonardo Dicaprio. But I will promote this movie. We just started reading Romeo & Juliet in my Shakespeare class, so I figured it was time for a little Baz Luhrman. That recasting of the film is quite phenomenal. I hope one day I will be allowed the "artistic liscense" to show it to my high schoolers. The funny part is, they won't even know who "Leo" is. All the better I say. But point of the story - this movie is great, artisitically and also textually. Yes, vast amounts of text are missed, but the portions covered are covered well. So if you haven't watched it - do. And if you have - go watch it again. Because here is the great thing about Shakespeare -his words live on, they transcend time, culture and mediums. And for this reason, I will always love William.

Juliet: O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, who monthly changes in her circled orb, lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

Romeo: What shall I swear by?

Juliet: Do not swear at all. Or, if thou wilt, swear by the gracious self which is the god of my idolatry, and I'll believe thee.

When a movie describes your very thoughts....

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but circumscribed. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void."

Musing...

Isn't it funny how every person has different things that

make them feel that they are going to be "ok"?

What do I mean by this? Sometimes, like tonight for me, you get those moments where you are sure that your life will bring you pain, and you are sure that it will also bring you happiness, and somewhere in the middle, you are pretty dang sure that you will be ok. There are some of us, who know we will be ok when are finances are all sorted out. There are others, who know that if they get their "thought-life" in order they will be fine (probably me in that lot). There are others that need to be sure of relationships (alas, there I am again). Or sure of their career path. Either way, its probably a little different for all of us. I mean there are the obvious truths we stand on, but beyond those, what are the things which really make us feel sure? I find that so interesting.

I love those moments, where you can almost feel the weight of circumstances to come, and the heartache that will accompany them. Yet you smile, because admist all of that, there will be joy in seeing people become what they are meant to be. In letting go of yourself and your "perfect conception" of the world. At least for me anyway, there is beauty in that, realizing that everything might turn out ok, even if its not how I imagined it...

Look What I Found....

....at IKEA! Honestly, I just wanted to "stop in" to check out the frames and prints, and bam! 4 set of Paris. Could not even believe it. Now if I can just find some London ones, we will be set. Isn't it sad how I can't take my own photos so I buy them from Ikea? Oh well - it was a find, and I am stickin to that!

If you hate surveys...

Stop reading now.

I am not in the habit of doing these, but I was tagged, so I figured - why the heck not. Plus, I sure couldn't get to sleep even though I have to work at 5.30 am tommorow. So here you go, read some random facts about me - or not. You decide...

four jobs you've had in your life:
1) jeans folder at American Eagle (decent)
2) server at Kelsey’s (complete failure)
3) cook at Kelsey’s (how hard is it to make a pizza?)
4) barista (great, the best I’d say)

four movies you could watch over and over again (not to be confused with favourite movies):
1) One Fine Day
2) You've Got Mail
3) Love Actually
4) Conspiracy Theory

four TV show you love to watch:
1) Gilmore Girls
2) Sex and the City (yes, its true, I am a heathen)
3) And that caps it.

four places you've lived:
1) Heart of Surrey (Newton)
2) South Surrey
3) Carnforth, England
4) Crofton, BC (Camp Qwanoes)

four places you've been on vacation to:
1) Hawaii
2) London
3) Salzburg
4) Paris

four places you would rather be (or where you'd like to visit?):
1) Spain – Aimee, would love to walk the streets of Barcelona
2) London – I could really use some Thornton’s
3) Ireland – St Patty’s day draws near
4) Paris – H & M, and some crepes

four of your favourite foods:
1) tacos
2) catcus club ribs
3) nutella crepes
4) ben & jerry's half baked

four websites you visit daily:
1) My Blogger Dashboard
2) www.google.ca
3) www.hotmail.com
4) basically everyone’s blogf

four CDs you're digging right now:
1) Elizabethtown soundtrack
2) Beatles Ballads (before you laugh, its a record comilation - so get over it)
3) Good News for People who Love Bad News – Modest Mouse
4) Funeral – Arcade Fire

If you have made it this far, you are a star. Thanks for caring. In fact, if you have made it this far, maybe I should go ahead and tag you. Yup - there you go, you are tagged. Sorry - that was kinda lame wasn't it? Well you still are tagged....

Hurrah!

I am done Mid-terms! Now in my "week off" I will write a paper and do an Education mini-lesson. Yikes! But it's ok, one thing is done. And for this I rejoice.

"I thought it was from God"

I just watched the movie "Millions" with Megan and Heather. This is a great thing for a couple reasons. One, I got to see Megan and Heather. I sure love those girls. There is something about long time friends that makes you realize that life is good. I mean here we are, years away from the days were we all dressed the same. But, we can still talk about where life has brought us. Thats pretty incredible.

Two - that was a pretty great movie. For one, the filmography was great. I honestly felt like a little kid for a few minutes. The kid in the movie is obsessed with Patron saints, so they appear to him and so they just have a chat. I thought that was pretty great. Suprsingly, some real "ethical" issues were tackled: what would you do if 230,000 pounds landed on your doorstep? And the kid was British, so that pretty much capped it. My heart yearned to go back and see those row houses, with kids running about in uniforms speaking with those ridicoulous accents.

"Sometimes things are there, and then they just dissapear, like Maltesers in your mouth" - Damian Cunningham (in reference to how everything changes)

Nostalgia & Teaching...

Yesterday, I had an amazing day. I spent it at Surrey Christian Middle School for a one day TWU Education observation. By the time the day was done, I was wishing it could be more than one day. It's a strange feeling to be back at your middle school, see your picture on the wall and realize how far you have come. And yet, kind of beautiful at the same time.

During the day I sat in classrooms, wrote notes about how they taught, drew the layout of their classrooms (best part, because I would mark down "random Micheal Jordan Poster" and the like). I found it fascinating how different teachers can run a classroom with such diverse methods and yet still be effective. On the breaks, we sat in the staff room - which was pretty surreal. I was such a keener, that I even ran the hot lunch. (Picture me, carrying huge bags of Pizza to classrooms...yikes)

The current principal (Jon Bron) was my grade seven teacher, so he pretty much made fun of me all day. I realized that I have a great deal of nostalgia attached to that place, and fond memories. I am so thankful that places in my heart also still exist in the real world. It's as great of a school as it used to be. Probably the best legacy of me in that place - I made in onto the school brochure - steering a sailing boat! Ay, ay captain.

All in all, a fantastic day - and it made me realize: I just might be able to do to this. The teachers were so young, fun and had a great sense of humor. I hope I work in a school like that one day.

My Good Friend Bono...

I don't think I can really do justice here to how much this speech has already impacted me. About a week ago, my proffesor asked us if we would like to watch Bono at the national prayer breakfast (for my ethics class). So I said "no - I hate that guy". No - you guessed it, I was the biggest keener around.

After my prof said that maybe - although this is potentially kinda crazy - that Bono represents a new "face" of Christianity which is striving for social change without hiding behind the cloak of evangelicalism. He said "if Bono had a church, I'd go to it, and not because he is a rock star". And my answer would probably be the same. I guess for me, it would be partly because he was a rockstar. But man - if you get a chance - try and find the video. If not, here is the printed transcript (and audio is on this page too)..

Check it out.

Some highlights for me:

"Even though I was a believer.Perhaps because I was a believer. I was cynical… not about God, but about God’s politics"

"It’s annoying but justice and equality are mates. Aren’t they? Justice always wants to hang out with equality. And equality is a real pain in the ass. Seriously"

"But justice is a higher standard. Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties; it doubts our concern, and it questions our commitment. Six and a half thousand Africans are still dying every day of preventable, treatable disease, for lack of drugs we can buy at any drug store. This is not about charity: This is about Justice and Equality."

I guess the true question is: will I do anything about it?

I plan to.

Adbusters....

http://www.adbusters.org/home/

On the heels of the last post, I thought I should post this:

Today I went looking through an adbusters magazine for philosophy class. Man, that magazine is incredible. The imagery used to prove a point, to show you something. The one I looked at was called "look right" and all about how consumerism is basically taking over the world. And over and over people in it were asking the question: is this all making us happy? or are we just lonelier than we have ever been? Don't get me wrong - I am sucker for the corporate machine just as much as the next guy. I work for Starbucks after all. Yet, I wonder - will I give myself over to all of this consumerism?

I was left with this question:

“What remains of our capacity to reinvent the world?"

I heart Target...

For all of you Americans - you can just stop reading now. I mean you can read, but this is a silly Canadian getting excited about a fairly "average" store for you guys. Or if you are expecting something deep, also stop reading now.

Target. Oh the joy! There I was on Sunday, having some lunch with my pro shopper Stefanie Fraser and she is telling me about the Crystal Light flavors at Target. So did I go home and watch the superbowl? (no, c'mon I'm not an American) Did I go do my homework? Nope, you guessed it. I went to Target. It kind of is materialism gone mad for me, but I love the silly little things we can't buy in Canada. Like Diet Cherry Coke. Check! And Orbit gum. Check! And nice tank tops for below 20 bucks. Check! And Kit Kat Milkshake (what the??) I was a happy girl.

So yes, I am very proud to be a Canadian. But also happy that I have the ability to cross that border and buy some goods that only sell to the mass market of the USA. Its' a good life. With this in mind, I will go reflect on my Moral Issues and Ethics class topic: Consumerism taking over society.

Thanks friends...

Today, when I should have been studying I did a little blog ring hunting. Right away, I need to qualify that statement. Most of the blogs I encountered I should have already read a long long time ago. Alas, I had not. So there I go, clicking on everyone's links (yes I know I am getting more geeky by the second at this point). And what did I find out? That I am a link on these blogs! Pretty much made my day. So some special thanks to:

Christy Childers - http://talkingofmichelangelo.blogspot.com/
Bonnie Munchinsky - http://bonniesmunchkinland.blogspot.com/
Kate VanWynen (sp?) - http://www.katev.blogspot.com/
Bec Shulba - http://becshulba.blogspot.com/ (special thanks because I am called "Teacher Sharelle" - makes me think I might actually do it or something!)

And of course, to my classics - Bonnie, Kristina, Spiro, Salonka, Keeks. Thanks guys.

A Tribute To "Tiny Dancer"....

Today I found out there is a little thing called "Google Video" search. And my good friend Spiro has gone ahead and posted one of my favourite little videos of all time - the Cp's at Capernwray. You are a star Spiro. Thanks for being savvy about the "world wide web".

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4736012064671372752&q=spiro

Oh do I ever love these guys. Thanks for being out there friends...

A Flight of the Imagination

So, I had an adventure. Honestly, the whole time, it felt like something Shaun Gaynor would have loved. Matt found a clipping for a "Movie Set Warehouse Sale". So we drive to Burnaby and there are 3 full warehouse bays of movie paraphenalia. There was so much crazy stuff in there. As I walked through, I imagined what kinds of sets would require each item. A nice flight of fancy...

Highlights:

Fake silver hyperbaric chamber and time machine looking controls - sold to a man named "Richard". Which makes you wonder - what kind of guy is this?

Fake Bank Machine - Suprising that some "entrepeneur" hadn't snapped that one up.

Suitcases & Trunks - All the good ones were sold, but there were some beautiful ones in the mix.

Unfortunately, I didn't buy anything. We were pretty convinced that if we got there on the first day, we might have found some major goldmines. Nevertheless, a wonderful journey for the mind.

Tristan & Isolde

On the weekend, I went and saw this movie. Was it cheesy? Yes. Did it steal almost the entire plot theme from Arthurian legend? Yes. But did I enjoy it? Ya..I did. So there you go. Something about heros, legends and forbidden love. Anyway, as always in time period movies, there were anachronisms. One being that they quoted a poem that was written 1000 years later. The reason I mention it here? It was John Donne. Well at least all those 12-teens that went to see James Franco heard some amazing poetry.

From The Good Morrow

My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or thou and I
Love so alike that none can slacken, none can die

A Monumental Occasion...

Tonight something amazing happened. For the first time, in the midst of reading an assigned education text, I found something to be so insightful that I had to stop, and record it. More than that, I had to post it on here. This is monumental my friends. I have barely even enjoyed 90% of the material for my education classes, let alone wanting to remember and reflect on it. The author of the article is a prof from Berkeley - go figure.

In reference to a university proffessor:

"Who needs 20 year olds from the suburbs when you are hanging out constantly with the likes of Marx and Hegel, Durkheim, Weber and Troelstch? This is "community" of the highest sort - the capacity for connectedness that allows one to converse with the dead, to speak and listen in an invisble network of relationships that enlarges one's world and ones life" - Parker Palmer

Now, I am not going to claim to have any idea who those men are (besides Marx of course) but to me that sentence could be replaced with "Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Donne, Tennyson" and obviously the list goes on and on. At this point, I will tell my greatest wish. That one day I might be able to enter into that conversation with my students and create ideas that will forever live and grow in their hearts. Idealism? Probably.

But I can dream....

A little Music History...

Maybe everyone already knew this, but I realized something great today. I was listening to “Back in the USSR” and I noticed that there were some distinct Beach Boys riffs in there. So then of course, I hit up Wikipedia, only to discover I was right.

“The song describes a parody of a bad flight from the US to the Soviet Union on board a British BOAC airplane, the superior “beauty” of Soviet women over those of the Western world, the sound of balalaikas ringing, and the incredible fortunate returning to a communist state. The song was a parody of Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA” and the Beach Boy’s California Girls, also containing a reference to “Georgia on my mind”.

So interesting. I think I just feel proud to have figured that out on my own. One music commentator (yes I researched) claimed "You'd have to have been born on another planet, or at least in a different century, to miss the several Beach Boys references". So I know - not very groundbreaking. But heck - I am going to be proud. This is new for me.

Ridiculously true...

Do not worry about the future. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

From our Sweaters to Yours...

The winners of the Better Sweater 2005 - the happy couple: Geoff & Lavonne, unmodified and modified respectively.
A picture of Nevs at the lodge - simply because its funny.
My decorator extradonaire - Jenny Beevers - holding the Mallard, while I cradle Billy Bass the singing Christmas wall hanging.
This odd photo simply to show the glory of Shaun's 5 dollar sweater - yes it was made entirely of 5 dollar bills.

So there you have it, Better Sweater 2005 is officially wrapped up. The turn out was smaller, but it was good company and thats key. I started early with Jenny and she painted the amazing log cabin decor you can see in the photos. Special thanks to Montanas cookhouse for providing the lodge paraphenalia: antlers, ski poles and snow shoes. I think my co-host also deserves some recognition for his decorating talent. Who knew antlers, some garland and a plaid blanket could look that classy?

This year there were two categories, modified and unmodified. It was time to give a chance to those who got those amazing sweaters as is, yet to everyones alarm, the modification king himself Stewart, cleaned up. The winners:

Geoff Stewart: Unmodified - Santa playing golf with elves as caddies, PC factor: he was Black.

Lavonne Neville: Modified - A reindeer made of felt, with light up antlers, constructed at my house the evening prior.

Shaun Gaynor: Honorable Mention- This is actually way more than an hon. met. - I really do think this guy deserved a prize. In fact I think my mom may give him one. As seen in the photo, the 5 dollar sweater. Guess how much money the sweater was in total?

Stanley Park Christmas Train...

Here we are, at the ol' Christmas train. I was so happy about it, I thought I would slap on a real cheesy smile for that photo. Yikes. Anyway - on Thursday I went to Stanley Park with Megan and Mandy. It was Christmas good times. Megan commented that the whole thing has a real "tourist trap" aura about it. But aren't those the best things? I really enjoyed myself. It was more magical than I even remember it. Call me crazy... but I could almost imagine what it would be like to walk among those lights, with polar bears, snowmen and of course Santa.

For those of you who are not aware. The Christmas train is a tradition in Vancouver where a small train goes around the tracks in a big park with thousands of lights and cheesy christmas cut-outs. I have to say my highlight was the fake skating rink with the "skating" snowmen. One of them had a Canucks jersey on, so for effect, they cut out the christmas music for a second and put on "hockey night in Canada". Yup, very random. And I liked it.

Tradition...Tradition...

Here's....Wes! My dad getting into the spirit...

Lindsay was too busy taking photos to be in one. This is the best I got!

Hey! Where am I?

My brother - the Christmas tree keener.

The awful smile. Gotta love it.

Yay! We picked one...finally!

Well today was a very interesting day. First we took family pictures, in Fort Langley. And all wearing Brown sweaters! I know, kinda cheesy. Don't worry those pictures will be posted when they arrive. Sadly, after the pictures we mourned the loss of a friend's family member. Then...we went Christmas tree shopping. Whew! Eventful.

But wow - this tradition. I really love it. When you walk out into the yard and you breathe in that deep rich earthy smell. Mmm...and then you walk around sizing up the trees. "I think this one is fuller...no that one is higher". "Does it have a solid trunk?" - my dad. Everyone evaluates the tree on a different basis. How interesting is that? We got a tree and I think a solid one! No - we didn't go to the U-chop like some adventurous families do. Only the Art Knaps - but hey they've got free cider. Needless to say - we had some classic family moments. I really love those guys.

I Love my Job...

That picture has nothing to do with this post. Except that maybe its also very comical and concerns Starbucks.I am going to tell a little story now, and if you don't find silly people and rants amusing, stop reading now....

Last night, a guy came into our store. He was probably about 19 or 20. He is in a shirt and tie, but kinda scruffy. Nice enough looking though. He comes to the front, and orders a hot chocolate with 1/4 soy and the rest normal milk. I get some weird orders so this wasn't new. I asked him why - he said he was allegric to dairy. So I am thinking - why are you having any? But thats beside the point. Since I am so good at my job, I offer to make him a drink that tastes great with soy. (Tazo Chai). I have to go help another customer but he continues to talk to me. Once again - this has happened before. But I always find it pretty comical. But thats not all...

He eventually sits down but then gets up again - walks back up to the bar and carries on a lengthy discussion with me about how the Chai tastes like Cinnamon. Yes - it is Chai spice friend. The point is - he keeps talking. He would go sit down for like 10 minutes then come back and talk again. But the funny part is - not particularly to me. More so to my 40- year old co-worker. Yikes. Later we see him get up and go to the bathroom, comes back out wearing an entirely black outfit. I guess it was his casual clothes. Well this seems to put him in a good mood. Because he starts snapping one hand to the music. And then one foot. And then before we know it, he is almost full on dancing in his chair. I was just about dying.

After a few more conversations he leaves. But then he comes back! He is standing there for a few minutes - looking like he is building up to say something....but doesnt. He turns and walks out. Then my co-worker goes "shoot, maybe he wanted to use the phone to get a taxi". So, I am not even kidding you, she runs after him. Out in the parking lot she asks him, he says:

"No...I just wanted to say good-bye".

Does this Look like Me?

Yesterday we threw a suprise birthday party for my mom. She claims she knew because I was being "suspicious", but she didn't know. It was pretty fun times, those adults can get pretty mental. Its quite the expierence to sit in a room full of 50- something ladies as they talk about ex-boyfriends. Yikes, particularly if one of them is your mom. Double Yikes. But ya, it was fun, I did the game (of course) entitled "Deb Bingo" and I think I got some laughs. But the real point of this post is - do you think that picture looks like me? Because about eight of my moms friends said so. And I suppose if I think about it, it might...but I think I assumed that I didnt look like my mom. Your thoughts?

The Most Ugly Time of the Year...

It's that time of year again. Better Sweater Party 2005...at the Lodge. It's going to be fun times. If you havent recieved the "Evite" yet and you would like to, let me know. Or if you have and really didn't want to. Well...I guess I am sorry. haha. Nevertheless, the ideas are out there, and I for one have already purchased my sweater. The race is on...

Mr. Donne...

" I suppose I like John Donne...because he validates my existence" - Dr. Barbara Pell.

It might be possible that John Donne lived for one reason: so that literary keeners could sit around and unpack his metaphysical conceits. And I am one of them. They don't make any sense half the time - and I love it! Today, I had the pleasure of studying one of my favourite authors in class. When my prof skipped over my favourite poem, I actually cried "No!" - out loud. Yup, its true. Before you get too concerned, we will cover it next class. And if you are dying of curiosity to know what is..."Valediction: Forbidden Mourning". I heart this poem. I can fairly confidently say its one of my favourites of all time...

For your reading pleasure, a portion:

Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fix’d foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th’ other do.
And though it in the center sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam,
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th’ other foot, obliquely run;
Thy firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end where I begun.

What a beautiful "metaphysical conceit".
I bet you will never look at a protractor the same way again.
The reason I study Literature right there.

For the Love of Darcy....

Tonight I walked into the theatre with mild trepidation and extreme excitment. And I was not dissapointed. I will say that I was sad to not see it with the clan of girls that I expected to attend with. I do think a second viewing might be in order.

Let's start with the great things:
1. Hollywood - now I am not saying that I dont love the BBC and their version, because I do. I am just saying there were quite a few moments that I was glad to see the clever camera angles in this new picture. A few really georgous moments - including Lizzie running the field towards Netherfield to see her distressed sister.Camera work - A+.
2. The Father - while I do think he missed his mark in a few scenes, the final scene where he grants Lizzie his blessing was remarkable. His genuine affection for her and understanding of her love for Darcy - love it.
3. Pemberly - friends, it was presented beautifully. I felt that the majesty of that place was projected in this film to its full extent. That and my favourite room (the hall with the painting and staircase) was featured. I was one happy girl when Pemberly came on the screen.

Not so great:
1. Hollywood - haha. Let's just face it, its true. I like the idea of watching the scenes redone but man there was some cheese.
2. Final scene - I'm sorry - did anyone EVER read a scene in Austen where Lizzie was reffered to as Mrs. Darcy. Umm..no. And the ankle pants - again no thanks. Wish they would have ended it before that, but that brings us back to the intial point - Hollywood.

Overall, truly magical. I have a preeetty good feeling I am going to end up owning it. And watching it about 10 more times. And on that note - since I did not get my act together and get the girls to watch it, I propose one of two things. Either we all go again (despite jenny and I already having seen it) I am up for that. Or....when its on DVD we can rent and compare.

Who's kidding who? I think the theatre again may be a must...but I am talking P & P keeners here. Who's up?

Cp's please...

It's too bad I am not that witty. I stole it. The two lovely ladies of the Gord Downie...



While I should be studying for a midterm tommorow morning that I am totally unprepared for, I choose to post about these amazing women who I will see in no less than three days. Hard to believe but true. My heart leaps up...

The Pumpkin Party...

Where are the pumpkins you ask? Not in this photo thats for sure. In case you didn't get it, thats me as Blue...from Blue's clues. Got it?

Last weekend I attended the best fall party...Shaun Gaynor's pumpkin party. And I actually carved one. I dont think I have carved a pumpkin since I was like ten years old. Geez, isnt it scary how much we all wield around knives when we carve? I thought I might stab myself. Don't worry - I didn't. All in all, fun times were had by all. Lavonne was my date, we got lost. We hung Shaun's teddy by a spiderweb noose. I pretended to be a cartoon dog.

Basically...the stuff dreams are made of.

Oh Starbuckles...

Yes I have sold my soul to the corporate machine. And I am ok with it. At least I think am. Do I ever love that place. It's like my 2nd library now - except its open twenty four hours. Thank goodness...

Discovery...

Before there was "You've got Mail" there was Joe. Did people know about this movie? Because I sure didn't. That is, not until this Saturday. I don't know if I am reccomending it or not, its very odd. But if you enjoy odd things, and the early 90's then it might just be for you. One thing is for sure, this movie is before its time. And be sure to watch the commentary, it might have been the most comical part. "With a title like Joe versus the volcano, one might wonder - who wins?" Well I won't give it away...

I want to invent a language...

I am sold. 100 percent. Do I ever love this stuff. When I was writing my papers, I put it on and a couple of times I just had to stop and reflect on how amazing it was. So I recommend it, even if it sounds too weird and "hipster" for ya. Its actually just truly beautiful. So do it, and then as a bonus, you may be able to talk to Rick about it or something.

Honoured...

I don't know if it is alright to post about this kind of thing..but Spiro did so I think I can.
Here is something that made my day....
http://goodrocky.blogspot.com/2005/10/sharelle-seinfeld.html

I love that kid. From the bottom of my heart....

Norman Marion Alloway...

Today I spent EIGHT hours in the library. I am serious, that is no exageration. And you know what, kind of made me crazy and happy all at the same time. I realize its a privilege - to be able to study like that. Still though, it is getting difficult for me to form a complete thought. And I am still not done...so why am I blogging you ask? hard to say my friends, hard to say. At this point, I realize this is a completely useless post...but you know what...I am leaving it.

And one more thing...have you recently google image searched anything? If you havent, you should. The RANDOM images that thing pulls up....where do they even come from? Like today when I searched "twu" I got a picture of Margaret Hebron. And then when I did "books" I got a picture of Superman. Go figure. So I recommend it...its funny times...

Happy Thanksgiving Big Bird...

Its that time of year again. I think I like it because there are fall colours everywhere. And you know...I sure am thankful. I am thankful because I am going to TWU, ane because I sure have some great people around me. So, I hope you enjoy your turkey. And remember...

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." - Charles Dickens

Twenty One...

I felt pretty good about twenty. I mean I was just back from a Europe trip and England, I felt like I had done a lot. This year...not so much. Anyway, it's true, I am now finally twenty one. I can go wine tasting in California. I think this late birthday thing is going to be great when I am turning 50, and I can laugh at all my friends when they are older than me.
Sorry, I am rambling. For my birthday I went to Catcus Club, had some dinn with the family and I got...

-A Lulu Hoodie! Now I can be just like all those 12-teen trendy girls!

(Don't worry, its not purple)
-Money (from Mom & Dad - so weird, usually get the gift but thats cool)

- Another sweater

-A non-trinity approved item. (figure that out)

My final reflection on birthdays: isn't it strange how when we get older, the only fuss we really get is the one we create? There is no party with hats and your name in glitterly letters. If you want the song, you have to tell somebody. And that is something we all feel pretty silly doing, and egocentric for that matter. I guess one day we won't want anyone to know either. For now, I guess birthdays are what we make them. It was a pretty normal day for me, but a good one....