Just 6 more sleeps...

The Colbert Report premieres on CTV after The Daily Show. Also the new season of The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos begins the same day on CBC News World. It will be an exciting day in news watching.

Rantings of an Occasional Insomniac

I found out this weekend that I am allergic to the adhesive in band-aids. I have to get a special kind of band-aid now but the problem is they don't stick so great.

I was watching Discovery Health last night and learned some interesting facts about PMS. First, a hug from the man you love will help your PMS symptoms more than any pain killers (including morphine). Allergies are worse during PMS.

I also was watching the National Spelling Bee finals from 1998 on Book TV. It was the last couple rounds and there were only about a dozen kids left so the words were pretty hard. There was only one word I knew how to spell or had even heard before (which was paraclete). I also learned that the letter "h" is spelled aitch. I am so using that in Scrabble.

I did not get enough sleep this weekend. Too much movie watching with Lynnie C, Ky, Just a Girl and the Sleeping Princess. Warning to all you princely suitors: the sleeping princess snores. But I digress...
Last night it was a movie watching extravaganza. First we watched This is Spinal Tap then we watched the perennial favourite, Newsies. As could be imagined, there was some serious silliness with a dash of witty banter. I cannot get High Times, Hard Times out of my head.

I have been tutor a lot lately. In the course of a week I have had 9 tutoring sessions. It should be fairly busy until the middle of December.

A Quick Review of Batman Begins

I had a sleepover last night with Lynnie C and Ky. I guess technically Gina was there to but she was sleeping most of the time. We watched Batman Begins. My quick review of the movie:
* not enough shirtless push ups
* Katie Holmes is a twit. How dare you break Dawson's heart!
* Nice to see Morgan Freeman reprising his role as God in Bruce Almighty 2: Batman Begins, although this sequel was much more somber than the original.

DON'T READ THIS PART IF YOU STILL WANT TO SEE THE MOVIE!
* there is this weapon that is basically is a giant microwave. This microwave evaporates water hundreds of feet away but the people standing right beside it are not effected. What? The human body is composed of 55-60% water. People would become jerky. Which reminds me you have to check out The Daily Show's story about Hufu (click on Flesh in a Pan).

Vandermeander

Anyone who remembers my distant cousin Dixie from U of R choir (female tenor), I discovered Dixie's blog today.

Good news and bad news

The good news is that I had a calling for subbing this morning. It was only for the morning which is better than nothing. I was glad it was for the morning only because it took forever for me to get to sleep last night. I get to the school and they only need me for one period! One hour of work for half a day of pay!

During my internship I lived with Bill and Chris, a couple who were retired teachers. The bad news is that Bill passed away expectantly. I will have to send a card to Chris.

Does that mean he has to stand behind Shakespeare?

Found on Eonline today at 12:50 pm (CST):

No mood for being witty

This morning I got a subbing call from the dispatch system. In the middle of the call, the system hung up on me. Then it just went onto the next person on the list. So I did not get the job placement. There is nothing I can do about it since there was no teacher specifically requested. It happened to me one time before but I was the requested teacher so the problem was able to be fixed.

I was feeling so discouraged last night at work. I just don't know what to do with my life.

Might be a little late...

I think I am suffering from a Quarter Life Crisis. I'm going through what many of my friends went through right after university. They have told me they are glad that I don't know what to do about my life. Seems like a strange thing to be glad about.

Laziness Abounds

The other shelf straightener at work is lazy. He better be getting yelled at on a regular basis by the inventory lady. Tuesday night shift is always the longest and I found out why tonight: the only shelf straightener only works for an hour. An hour? The fastest I have ever finished is in 2 hours (only because a section of the store was already done when I got there). It is not physically possible to clean that store in an hour and he leaves the proof behind every night he works.

Calling all word geeks

Fabulous Girl posted the responses to the Mensa Lexicon Challenge from the Washingston Post. The challenge is to "take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition."

Let's see if we can all come up with some more. We'll show those Mensa folk what clever really is.

Grrrrrrrrrr

I am beyond annoyed. People can be so inconsiderate. I was supposed to tutor 3 times today. This first session was two people at the same time. I got a call 15 minutes after it was supposed have begun that they would not be able to make it. For the second session the person did not show up at all (and could not be reached at home). So instead of 3 times, I tutored once today.

T-Shirt Transfer

I made a new t-shirt transfer. Hopefully I will be able to finish more soon.

T-shirt Preview


T-shirt transfer




Maryanne, Ky and what ever other British/Canadian spelling enthusiasts out there: I was trying to make the shirt universal. If you really want a shirt that has "favourite" instead, just ask.

The Chronicles of Janny

Something strange happened at work last night. There is this back room that at work we refer to as Narnia. It is mostly a storage room for displays and props but the safe is also in there. Last night I was working near the entrance of Narnia (does that mean I was working outside the wardrobe?) when one of the security guards went inside. This is not unusual but he left and then came back again this time leaving the door open (very unusual). He was in there for a long time (another unusual thing). I peaked in and he was just sitting there, in the middle of the room. This made me very curious and I kept on checking to see what he was doing. He appeared to be doing nothing at all. When I left the section about 20 minutes later he was still in there.

I made the mistake of making myself a London Fog before bed. I guess warm milk does not put you to sleep if it flavoured with caffeinated tea and sugar. (I didn't think it would, I was just craving one and it usually does not effect me).

While I was wide awake I thought I would catch up on some TV shows I had taped. I don't usually tape Survivor or the Apprentice but I was curious about what was going to happen after I saw a preview. I was so glad I did , Jon Favreau was promoting Zathura. The teams had a marketing project where they had to make a float for the movie. I adore Favs so I'm glad I didn't miss it . (Note to sister: Remember Monday Night Football style commentary?)

It is so exciting. I finished my work faster tonight than ever before. I finished in under 2 hours (and still get paid for 3). My previous record was 2 hours and 15 minutes. It helped that the store was in such good order already. Yesterday it was a mess so the first order today was for the booksellers to re-organize their sections.

In completely unrelated news, I have a strangely high pain threshold. Either that or I fall asleep easily. I got my legs waxes today and that is what the esthetician said. I was falling asleep while she was waxing my legs and I wasn't even super tired. It doesn't surprise me, I have fallen asleep standing up and another time walking to school. (My friend woke me up before I almost ran into a cyclist). The strangest place I fell asleep was head first into a suitcase while I was packing and slept there for 2 hours. I fell asleep only twice doing homework -- once it was when I had the chicken pox and I was colouring some ladybugs. The other time was when I had to read the Communist Manifesto for a university history class. This is the only time I have ever fallen asleep reading. The former because of pure exhaustion and the latter because of pure boredom.

Random Bits

I got disoriented last night on my way to tutoring. I parked my car, went out the wrong door and ended up walking for 20 minutes. No regrets. If I had not gotten lost I would not have seen a group re-enacting Thriller.

Last night at work I was wondering why is Raggedy Ann raggedy and Andy is not? They look equally raggedy to me.

I subbed at Dalmeny again yesterday. I'm back again Thursday. So far it has been the school that I have been to the most this past year. It is really strange since it has been nearly 2 weeks since I have had a call from the city school division. I usually have a minimum of couple calls a week. I might need to make a call to make sure the dispatch system is not skipping me.

I forgot to update about my roommate's computer. They told me they would call me before they did any work that was not covered under warranty. After a week I had not heard from them at all. I was convinced they couldn't fix the problem or blah, blah, blah. I was paranoid that it was going to cost lots.
I was in the area of the repair place so I decided to check up on the progress. It had been ready to be picked up for more than a week. No one called me to tell me so. The descriptions I had given them about the problems were very helpful. They immediately knew what to do. The motherboard needed to be replaced. It just so happened to go kaput while I was working on the computer. Since it was a hardware problem it was covered by warranty. What sweet relief!

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Hollywood Franchise - SHARON WAXMAN, NY Times ONline

The producers Howard Deutsch and Ridley Scott have set in motion what they hope will be a lively auction of the movie rights to "Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective."

Happy Birthday 15th IMDB!

IMDB 15th Anniversary

I made my mom's kitchen table muddy. How, you ask? Gave my dad several cacti in one big pot. Some of them are recently dearly departed from root rot. Today we bought some replacements and this evening we planted them. We so happened to be doing our work on the kitchen table. Wow, my mom was not pleased. Of course, my mom never really gets upset. She just stood there staring at the mess with her eyebrows raised. She told me to clean up the mess then walked away.

I think a nap is in order.

I was doing yard work in my parents' backyard. I cut back the raspberry bushes and got rid of some unwanted baby elm trees. I need a chainsaw to do anymore work. There is more work I could do in the front yard but it is too windy. I have been taking a break, hoping the wind dies down but now I'm sleepy.

What's old is new?

So I was watching a taped show this afternoon. A girl finds out that she was working for an "off the books" division of CIA. She finds out that it is actually a criminal organization. She is asked to go on a mission to collect data about said criminal organization. Sounds just like the pilot episode of Alias? You're wrong, it was Wednesday night's new episode. I thought Archie comics recycled plot lines that often.

Lego Rory Cochrane

My sister just sent me this to go with the Lego Janny she made yesterday.

It's beginning to look a lot like Veronica Mars

I watched the newest episode of Veronica Mars this morning. I realized that it is like Christmas for me. without the dreadful comments from relatives about my lack of a full time job or boyfriend/husband. Thus I decided that Veronica Mars is better than Christmas. It has been decreed and so it shall be.

Cover Band

I just heard a cover of The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by The Dandy Warhols. Whaaa? What is a supposedly hip and happening band redoing a 70s Gordon Lightfoot song about a ship wreck? It is not as strange as the Pearl Jam and Tragically Hip instrumental cover of that song. Completely pointless exercise. Even more ridiculous than a dance remake of MacArthur Park I heard once.

So people, tell me what cover song bugs you, amuses you or you adore.

To redeem those Dandy Warhols, they do an awesome cover of Call Me.

He's just being modest

Check out Roger's blog at Marginally Clever. (He's the new Lyn like green is the new pink).

Oh great, another forensic show...

While I was on the phone with my sister this evening. She was creating a Lego Janny. She was disgusted that I had not done one myself yet. From her description, the first one she made was a little too much like someone from The Society for Creative Anachronism (complete with viking hat, trench coat and Batman shirt). She agreed. Amazing how I could tell that from a description over the phone.

On the second try, she told me I had short skirt, long jacket on the beach. I thought that sounded like I was on CSI:Miami (which I have not watched since Rory Cochrane left the show). She sent me the picture of Lego Janny and a story to go with it. Enjoy (I have a very silly sister).


"So. Lego Janny went to Miami one day. When she arrived at her hotel, the front desk lady said, 'Lego Janny? You already have a message.'

This perplexed Lego Janny. 'A message? But who even knows I'm here?' (She was on a top-secret mission, you see.)

The note read: 'Dearest Lego Janny. Meet me at the beach in five minutes. Love from your secret admirer. xo.' This maddened LJ even further. Was she in danger? Was it a trap?

Lego Janny threw all caution to the wind, and ran to the beach. In her rush, she forgot to change out of her long jacket that she was wearing over her short skirt. She picked through the sand in her high heels.

A child walked up to her and asked, 'Are you Lego Janny?'

'Yes...' she answered.

'Then this is for you.' The child handed her a red rose and walked away.

'I knew you'd like red, Lego Janny,' a familiar voice said behind her. She wheeled around, and there was famous film actor Rory Cochrane! 'I always knew of your love, and have always loved you back, but now you have come to me and we can be together forever!'

'But weren't you killed off on CSI: Miami?' Janny asked.

'Well, yes,' famous movie actor Rory Cochrane replied, 'but I'm planning a return and I need your help!'

Lego Janny's help, and her love, helped famous movie actor Rory Cochrane return to stardom. They also solved many crimes together, and you can now see them on their own show: CSI: Rory and Lego Janny.

Fin"

I just reread my entry and realized my speech is very parenthetical this evening. I even removed a few.

Politics Test

On viewing where my political views compared to famous people, I was amused that it was right on Mikhail Gorbachev's eye. To sum things up, I have the political ideologies of a communist that brought democracy to the USSR.

You are a Social Moderate (56% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (18% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Blogtastic!

There was a link for Fabulous Girl's Boudoir on The Manolo's Shoe Blog. It is similar to Manolo's Shoe Blog but with more topics than fashion.

I mention Boy meets World way too often....

There was an actor on the show My Name is Earl that plays Randy that I could not think where else I knew him from. His name is Ethan Suplee. I had to look him up and he was a recurring character on Boy Meets World, in Remember the Titans and in various Kevin Smith films. (For those of you who have seen Mallrats, he was the guy trying to see the picture in the Magic Eye image.)

I am start to wonder what was the point those of you out there realize that I watch way too much TV and movies. Trust me I fully aware of my vices.

Not for the faint of heart

Then of course there will be some of you that are faint of heart and will be overcome by curiosity. Don't say I didn't warn you.

I had a pretty lousy night at work. I had went straight from tutoring to the university. When I arrived I had a little bit of a headache but it was no big deal. I knew it had been a busy day because when I arrived the store was a mess. The headache got worse quickly. Soon on top of a headache I became nauseated. I was going to try to tough it out and at least finish the top floor. I couldn't even do that. I told the cleaning crew I was leaving and left a note on my bosses desk.

I am trying to be thankful that I didn't throw up until I go home. I was praying I would not throw up in my car (I was on a busy street where there was no where to pull over). Even though I was not sleepy I laid very still in my bed until I fell asleep. That is the only thing I can do until the pain relievers take effect.

I woke up before 5 am and I was wide awake. The headache was mostly gone. My neck was still sore and felt like I was vibrating (a common thing for me after a bad headache). I showered and put on my Supergirl jammies. Supergirl jammies always make me feel better. I was still wide awake so I watched the shows I taped when I was out last night. I laughed so hard watching My Name is Earl, I almost threw up. You may think that is pretty gross but I think that is pretty funny. After watching all of my shows I went back to sleep.

I am better now but still very weak. I am going to try to go to work tonight. Since I didn't do the main floor yesterday it will be a disaster tonight. I try to go early so I am not there too late.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I spent the last weekend at my grandparents' farm for Thanksgiving. My parents picked me up on Friday afternoon and brought me home this afternoon.

It was a pretty easy going weekend. Most of it was spent visiting friends and family. On Sunday after our big thanksgiving meal, me and some of my cousins went to P.A. National Park. Some of drove, some other rode horses there. We played poohsticks. On our way back, my cousin/roommate Ang got the van stuck in the mud. Thankfully some relatives were in a nearby field and saw us so we weren't there for too long.

We played Sardines (a variant of hide and go seek)this afternoon. Honourable mention to my cousin Jaclyn's dedication to the game: she hid in a dark, damp and possibly mouse infested cellar.

You too can play sardines with friends and family:
In the variant known as sardines, only one player hides while all the rest count. All the counting players then split up and each searches for the one player hiding. When a searcher find the hiding player, they join in hiding in the same hiding place. The game is over when the last player finds all the others. They are the loser of the game and generally the next one to hide (although sometimes this role is given to the first to have found the original hiding place). Often, "sardines" is played in the dark.
Hide and Seek from Wikipedia

My favourite sardine's memory is when my sister and cousin Corrine got stuck in a tree. If you knew either one of them, getting stuck in a tree would not be a surprise.

Bull in the Bowl

This picture was in the newspaper last week. The girl rode the Brahma bull to promote the Saskatoon Stampede. It just so happens that my cousins Ky and Saryn nearby when the picture was taken. My first reaction was "Classic Ky, she doesn't even noticed a bull 5 feet away."

A girl I tutor was tell me tonight she saw the bull at the university also. Her friend said to her "Look, the udders are leaking." She politely explained that it is a bull and they do not have udders. City kids. (You can't see it but I am shaking my head).

DiG!

I was watching the latest episode of Gilmore Girls. Our beloved townie Kirk compared two sides of a sibling rivalry to The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre rivalry. Talk about an obscure reference. I am proud to say a reference I understood. Just thank my musically greedy brother.

Big Surprise...

Even though the new contract has not been officially ratified there will be Hockey Night in Canada. Those who work on the broadcast will volunteer to do so.

Most CBC workers back by Tuesday, union says

Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just
read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause
dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." (Charles Schultz)

A terrible, no good day

I think I want to go to bed and forget this day. The whole day was not bad it was really the course of a couple hours.

First, I got tomato sauce all over my light pink shirt and I couldn't get it out. No amount of soaking helped.

Later, My roommate was having problems with her computer so she asked me to have a look at it. In the middle of the fix, the computer froze. When I tried to restart the computer the computer would not turn on. Oy. I was convinced that I had broke it.

I left the computer for awhile to deal with my laundry. I was running back upstairs to work on the computer again when my big feet tripped on a stair and I banged my knees hard. I went on my own computer to check so possible fixes for the other computer. I was sitting on my bed working for awhile. I felt something wet on the bottom of my foot which was on the floor. I realized my toe was bleeding all over the carpet (the carpet of my rented townhouse I may add). I rushed to clean the carpet while not spilling further blood. It cleaned up pretty well.

In tears, I called my Dad about the computer. He convinced me to call the manufacturer. I was hesitant because I did not know if it was still on warranty. It was and from my conversations with the tech and my roommate it sounds like it will be covered under the warranty. I am hoping it will be. I do not know where I would get the money if it wasn't.

For the sake of interest, my injured toe is on the same foot as the other two toes I injured. At least it wasn't one of them that already was injured. Those are stilled bruised (it takes toes forever to heal).

Babies and books

Last night, I had supper with my best friend Laurel and her daughter Kayce. They were in town to pick up Laurel's husband from the airport.

After supper, we went back to their hotel room to visit. I was playing with Kayce on the bed, she pulled on my belt and undid it. I was rather amazed at the dexterity of this 7 month old. Later, I was giving her a hug good bye and Kayce starting laughing. Laurel realized that when I picked Kayce up to hug her, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She saw herself and it made her glad. Silly little girl.
This is my little friend Kayce when she was 5 months old:


I beat my previous record of finishing cleaning the store last night by about 10 minutes. That is even including taking a break to write down from information for my sister from the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan.

Hope in sight?

CBC, union reach tentative agreement

The union still has to vote on it. With 2 days before the hockey season begins, I am hoping we will have Hockey Night in Canada. (I'm sure that now after 7 weeks of the strike hockey is the main reason a deal was final made. The two sides know if it starts effecting their hockey, there will be riots.)

White November

We had our first snow fall last night. It was just starting to rain as I was getting home from work. It got colder and then turned to snow in the early morning. I'm glad I didn't have to be anywhere this morning. It is fairly pleasant outside so it is not a burden at all. I like winter.

Numb3rs and other math related topics

I have come to the conclusion that the L.A. branch of the F.B.I. is incapable of solving any cases without the help of math. Its fact. Or maybe I shouldn't base my research on a TV show.
Another thing I learned tonight after watching Numb3rs: you CAN discuss math on the first date as long as it is consensual.

Speaking of math I met two new tutees this evening. It is two friends (a girl and a boy) that are in a stats class together and have a terrible prof. They are fun people and things went really well. The girl said in frustration, "I hate math." My response: "Math loves you but you just have to learn how to love it back." How true. Later she decided she was going become a "math genius" like me and make a killing tutoring.

Me kneeing Sir John A. Macdonald

In February 2002, I made sure he would not be fathering any more confederations.

pae gah manni ah peun chuk haet ssuh yo.

Translation: I pretended that I had a serious stomach ache.

My friend Sharon is officially in Korea for a year. Everyone who knows her, make sure to write.

The Proust Questionnaire

As promised (albeit a long time ago),

Your most marked characteristic?
tenacity

The quality you most like in a man?
leadership

The quality you most like in a woman?
feminine wiles aka taking advantage of double standards

What do you most value in your friends?
Embracing their dorkiness

What is your principle defect?
procrastination and loving every minute of it.

What is your favourite occupation?
I am going to take this statement as my favourite way to occupy my time (not favourite job). I would have to say my favourite occupation is watching good TV and movies.

What is your dream of happiness?
Being at peace about where I am in life

What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?
Being deceived especially in a religious sense

What would you like to be?
Movie director

In what country would you like to live?
Norway idyllically but Canada realistically

What is your favourite color?
red

What is your favourite flower?
Red lily

What is your favourite bird?
Hummingbirds are pretty awesome

Who are your favourite prose writers?
Chuck Klosterman

Who are your favourite poets?
Shakespeare

Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Bilbo Baggins. Hobbits are awesome. For clarification The Hobbit has been one my favourite books since I read it in Grade 3. In university I even did a presentation for an English curriculum class on “My Favourite Fictional Character” on Bilbo. I don’t want people to think this opinion is just because of the recent movies.

Who are your favourite heroines of fiction?
I had a really hard time with this question since most of my reading over my life rarely has heroines. I will have to choose one from TV then it makes it easier. My favourite fictional heroine is Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Who are your favourite composers?
Usually classical music is associated with composers and songwriter or lyricist is associated with more “modern” music. My favourite classical music composer is Beethoven. If I had to choose from all the music I love one person who writes music professionally, I could not.

Who are your favourite painters?
Monet

Who are your heroes in real life?
Those people who make a difference in the lives of the people who other deem hopeless. They are making better lives for people by one small act of kindness at a time.

What is it you most dislike?
People who pretend to be someone they are not so people will “like” them. This is a fault particularly belonging to females. Some people cannot stand the thought of someone not liking them.

What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Sadly, I wish I was naturally gifted at everything. One irritating trait (?) of my brother is he is naturally gifted at so much. If he isn’t good at something the first time he tries it, he rarely tries it again. If I had to choose one I’d have to say writing.

How would you like to die?
Old and in my sleep.

What is your present state of mind?
Chaotic

To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
once again procrastination

What is your motto?
"The saddest thing is if at the end of your life you say 'I wish I did' or 'Why didn't I?' You have to go after it with full gusto in life, whatever it is, go after the stupidest whim, because you pass by once." - Gene Simmons

I miss you, Alan Titchmarsh

I went to Serenity last night. Very entertaining but there were some inconsistencies with the show. I think (hope) these for changes made for the sake of people who have never seen the show. I am trying to have the attitude of thankfulness that there was a Firefly movie where some questions are answered.

Last night I came home very late to our neighbour playing his music very loudly. His one saving grace is he has excellent taste in music. Last night it was Van Morrison. If it was crappy music I might actually ask him it turn it down.

I don't know if I am just paranoid but I think I'm getting sick too. My tummy hurts a bit -- might be a case of the hypochondria.

I am watching Ground Force and it is making me sad. The original host had such a soothing voice and made very thing seem so pastoral. Now we have the minions as co-hosts -- Tommy with sexist comments like "So easy even a girl can do it..." and Charlie who is "Famed for her lack of supportive underwear". Put a bra on woman!