I enjoy watching TV more than watching movies. There is no TV show or movie that I'd rather watch than spend time with friends. Can you guess why I watch so much TV? It is hard to admit but it is because I'm bored and lonely. With school being done until September and not having a job (yet) just magnifies the loneliness. For a brief time, TV lets me forget these things.
I have friends that I rarely see. My friends tend to socialize with other couples or families with children or friends from work. I don't have much socializing time during the school year but I certainly have more time than I'm using. Everyone seems to think that I'm spending my time with another group of friends.
I have been accused of complaining too much on this blog but I don't really care. I'm going to write how I feel and I'm just trying to be truthful about what I'm going through.
Showing posts with label my two front teeth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my two front teeth. Show all posts
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Friday, November 6, 2009
Not being heard
It is extremely frustrating to have something to say and
- you aren't given a chance to speak
- you speak and it was completely disregarded
In the first case, I feel like may I am trying to talk to people that are so concerned about getting their own point across that they don't even notice that others are trying to speak. I'm not the type of person to interrupt when someone else is talking. If I know someone else has something to say or notice that they were interrupted, I try to make sure they are given a chance to speak. One rare occasion I do get to speak, often try to interrupt and if I do not stop talking they just start talking "over top of me". It is totally bizarre.
In a linguistics class I took, we learned that the amount how much time a person talks in a group shows how much power they have in the group.* Are others around me not willing to give me the power to speak? Are they not willing to give up their own power? Are they not willing to recognize me as having something meaningful to say? This might sound strange to people who have known me for my whole life that I am going through this.** Once after admitting I maybe overly assertive, my grade 10 English teacher told me that was grossly understated. How can the overly assertive compete with the hyper-aggressive?
In the second case, it is a really a problem with one person who often asks for help and has difficulty hearing "no". You know when telemarketers call you house and keep on talking even after you say you aren't interested? Imagine if those telemarketers came into your home everyday, followed you around bugging you. This is a little bit how I feel on a daily basis.
Not meaning to be ranty but these things have been bugging me for a long while. Today I a had a little bit of validation from a causal observer that had noticed the on-going pattern. At least I don't think the problem is all in my head...
*It doesn't necessarily mean that if you talk the most you have the most power in the group, silence can show authority.
** Certainly not sound like the girl who made a peeping tom cry.
- you aren't given a chance to speak
- you speak and it was completely disregarded
In the first case, I feel like may I am trying to talk to people that are so concerned about getting their own point across that they don't even notice that others are trying to speak. I'm not the type of person to interrupt when someone else is talking. If I know someone else has something to say or notice that they were interrupted, I try to make sure they are given a chance to speak. One rare occasion I do get to speak, often try to interrupt and if I do not stop talking they just start talking "over top of me". It is totally bizarre.
In a linguistics class I took, we learned that the amount how much time a person talks in a group shows how much power they have in the group.* Are others around me not willing to give me the power to speak? Are they not willing to give up their own power? Are they not willing to recognize me as having something meaningful to say? This might sound strange to people who have known me for my whole life that I am going through this.** Once after admitting I maybe overly assertive, my grade 10 English teacher told me that was grossly understated. How can the overly assertive compete with the hyper-aggressive?
In the second case, it is a really a problem with one person who often asks for help and has difficulty hearing "no". You know when telemarketers call you house and keep on talking even after you say you aren't interested? Imagine if those telemarketers came into your home everyday, followed you around bugging you. This is a little bit how I feel on a daily basis.
Not meaning to be ranty but these things have been bugging me for a long while. Today I a had a little bit of validation from a causal observer that had noticed the on-going pattern. At least I don't think the problem is all in my head...
*It doesn't necessarily mean that if you talk the most you have the most power in the group, silence can show authority.
** Certainly not sound like the girl who made a peeping tom cry.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
I'm Pretty Sure it Raised My Cholesterol Just Looking at It...
Behold, the Internet sensation Bacon Explosion:
Bacon surrounded by two pounds of Italian sausage wrapped with two pounds of bacon. Looks like a good idea at the time but something you'd regret much later like KFC or deep fried cheese.
Bacon surrounded by two pounds of Italian sausage wrapped with two pounds of bacon. Looks like a good idea at the time but something you'd regret much later like KFC or deep fried cheese.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Women in Sciences Unite!
In a follow up to me complaining about feeling lonely at the university, Since the beginning of the school year I have gotten to know a couple females from my classes. Two of them are in my Physics class and it really is more of a mentoring role I have. One of the girls told me that it is nice to talk to a female when you need help.
There is another girl from one a math class that we are trying to coordinate schedules to study for a midterm together. Our class has 10 people -- 8 males, 2 females. We are both used to being the only females in classes like that so it is a little refreshing. Us two girls plus a male friend who I worked with over the summer are the only ones who understand what is going on in that class. He doesn't say anything in class so to the other students it looks like only the girls know what is going on -- kind of amusing. I kind of avoided her because of a bad first impression. She came up to me on the first class and said "Hey aren't you friends with that tall girl from Guelph who is really loud?"* Loud just had a bad connotation to me -- I guess I took it as she was calling my friend loud mouthed. After a couple weeks of class I realized that she was alright.
*If she hadn't specified where she was from it really could have been any number of my friends. :)
There is another girl from one a math class that we are trying to coordinate schedules to study for a midterm together. Our class has 10 people -- 8 males, 2 females. We are both used to being the only females in classes like that so it is a little refreshing. Us two girls plus a male friend who I worked with over the summer are the only ones who understand what is going on in that class. He doesn't say anything in class so to the other students it looks like only the girls know what is going on -- kind of amusing. I kind of avoided her because of a bad first impression. She came up to me on the first class and said "Hey aren't you friends with that tall girl from Guelph who is really loud?"* Loud just had a bad connotation to me -- I guess I took it as she was calling my friend loud mouthed. After a couple weeks of class I realized that she was alright.
*If she hadn't specified where she was from it really could have been any number of my friends. :)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The Gimme List 2007: Part 1 - DVD Edition
I've been thinking about what I want for Christmas. So far I've only thought of DVDs.
** FYI: Help is in limited release in Cineplex theatres next week. In Regina it is only showing once on Monday.
- Project Runway: The Complete Second Season (2005) - I've been recently rewatching the second season late at night. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the episodes but it never gets old. The designer "Walk Off"? (of course, Nick and Santino were the best). I could not stop squealing.* The designers dressed as figure skaters? I nearly peed myself. Zulema requesting a walk off then taking Nick's model? Outrageously fabulous backstabbing. I totally want to be BFF with Daniel V. I have an even greater desire to watch TV and be sarcastic with Santino.
- Veronica Mars: The Complete Seasons 1-3 (2004) - I know I have all the episodes on tape or downloaded. This has to be my favourite show of all time, I need the official.
- Help **- I've want this on DVD FOREVER. It has been on my Christmas list for at least three years. I'm serious people!
- Return of the King (Extended) - the only from the LOTR I don't have. It has been on my Christmas list since it was released. I'm stubborn and refuse to buy it for myself.
** FYI: Help is in limited release in Cineplex theatres next week. In Regina it is only showing once on Monday.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Monday, December 26, 2005
Happy Boxing Day!
Hope everyone found some excellent post-Christmas bargains.
Just a warning: New Year's Day 2006: delayed by a second
Just a warning: New Year's Day 2006: delayed by a second
Friday, December 23, 2005
God Jul
December 23rd: “Lille julaften” or “Little Christmas Eve”
For many Norwegians, the observance of Christmas begins on the evening of December 23. This is when most families decorate their Christmas trees and homes. It is traditional to decorate these trees with handmade Christmas baskets. These baskets are made out of red and green paper that is weaved together and then filled with fruits, candy, and nuts.
In my family we have a supper of rice porridge on Little Christmas Eve. At Christmas an almond hidden in the rice porridge. In my family, whoever finds the almond in their bowl will be the next to get married. I have no idea where this began because I cannot find anyone else who believes it.
Traditionally, the child who discovers it wins a prize of a marzipan pig. This is to remind people of the times when a peasant family’s wealth was determined by its pig.
December 24: “Julaften” or “Christmas Eve”
The next day is Christmas Eve, and the children of Norway often get up early and wait for the special Christmas programs to start on their televisions. Some people also go to church around 3 or 4 o'clock, and others visit the graves of friends and family. Also on this day, some families leave a bowl of porridge in their barns for the nisse, or gnome, who lives in and protects the barn and animals. For a long time, when most Norwegians were farmers, this “Nisse” was believed to be a secret helper in the barn. If the family on the farm was nice to him and left him a bowl of porridge every Christmas eve, he would be kind to them and help them the next year. If they didn’t, they could expect accidents, sick animals and mysterious noises.
A special Christmas meal is then served towards evening, and what is served at the meal varies depending up which part of Norway a family is from. Eastern Norwegians eat lye fish, or lutfisk, while western Norwegians enjoy steamed lamb ribs called pinnekjøtt. After the meal, it is time to open gifts. Sometimes Julenisse (similar to Santa Claus) even comes to the home to distribute the gifts himself.
After the opening of presents, all the brooms in the house are hidden. The Norwegians long ago believed that witches and mischievous spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would steal their brooms for riding.
December 25: “Første juledag” or “Christmas Day”
On Christmas Day, family Christmas parties are often held and some people attend church services. The next day there are more parties, but these are mostly parties with friends.
Sources:
Rick Steves' Europe: Norwegian Christmas
Norwegian Holidays
December 23rd: “Lille julaften” or “Little Christmas Eve”
For many Norwegians, the observance of Christmas begins on the evening of December 23. This is when most families decorate their Christmas trees and homes. It is traditional to decorate these trees with handmade Christmas baskets. These baskets are made out of red and green paper that is weaved together and then filled with fruits, candy, and nuts.
In my family we have a supper of rice porridge on Little Christmas Eve. At Christmas an almond hidden in the rice porridge. In my family, whoever finds the almond in their bowl will be the next to get married. I have no idea where this began because I cannot find anyone else who believes it.
Traditionally, the child who discovers it wins a prize of a marzipan pig. This is to remind people of the times when a peasant family’s wealth was determined by its pig.
December 24: “Julaften” or “Christmas Eve”
The next day is Christmas Eve, and the children of Norway often get up early and wait for the special Christmas programs to start on their televisions. Some people also go to church around 3 or 4 o'clock, and others visit the graves of friends and family. Also on this day, some families leave a bowl of porridge in their barns for the nisse, or gnome, who lives in and protects the barn and animals. For a long time, when most Norwegians were farmers, this “Nisse” was believed to be a secret helper in the barn. If the family on the farm was nice to him and left him a bowl of porridge every Christmas eve, he would be kind to them and help them the next year. If they didn’t, they could expect accidents, sick animals and mysterious noises.
A special Christmas meal is then served towards evening, and what is served at the meal varies depending up which part of Norway a family is from. Eastern Norwegians eat lye fish, or lutfisk, while western Norwegians enjoy steamed lamb ribs called pinnekjøtt. After the meal, it is time to open gifts. Sometimes Julenisse (similar to Santa Claus) even comes to the home to distribute the gifts himself.
After the opening of presents, all the brooms in the house are hidden. The Norwegians long ago believed that witches and mischievous spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would steal their brooms for riding.
December 25: “Første juledag” or “Christmas Day”
On Christmas Day, family Christmas parties are often held and some people attend church services. The next day there are more parties, but these are mostly parties with friends.
Sources:
Rick Steves' Europe: Norwegian Christmas
Norwegian Holidays
Thursday, December 22, 2005
For the Rest of Us
Happy Festivus everyone!
Festivus: the website for the rest of us
Educational video on Festivus (I use educational loosely here).
Tomorrow: Little Christmas Eve
Festivus: the website for the rest of us
Educational video on Festivus (I use educational loosely here).
Tomorrow: Little Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Monopoly 70th Anniversary Edition
I wish I would have know about this earlier so I could have asked for it for Christmas. It is still not too late Mom (hint, hint).
To commemorate Monopoly's 70th anniversary Parker Brothers have created an art deco edition. What could be better? My favorite board game designed in my favorite style. I have seen editions with a wooden case on Ebay but I cannot find it anywhere else.
To commemorate Monopoly's 70th anniversary Parker Brothers have created an art deco edition. What could be better? My favorite board game designed in my favorite style. I have seen editions with a wooden case on Ebay but I cannot find it anywhere else.
Friday, December 9, 2005
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Of Air Guitars and Christmas Trees
A conversation with my friend Shannon about the Charlie Brown Christmas tree:
Check out the results of the US Air Guitar Championship.
Shannon: Once saw someone auctioning off an air guitar for $10 on E-bay. He had put a picture of himself "playing" it on there. The disclaimer under the picture said:
Please note: there is not actually anything in my hands
People were actually bidding on it. I have no doubt there will be many people purchasing the Charlie Brown Christmas tree for $24. Perhaps even the same people who just had to have their very own used air guitar."
Janny: That is totally awesome that a dude was trying to sell his air guitar on ebay. That sounds like something my friend Alex would do. Except Alex is all about showing the love to "his fans" so he would probably give away an autographed copy of his air guitar. But this is the boy who told me once he was trying to steal my loveliness to sell on the black market, so you never know.
Check out the results of the US Air Guitar Championship.
Monday, December 5, 2005
Good Grief
For a paltry $24 US you can purchase a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
Save your money people. If you want to cleverly replicate the tree for the movie buff in your life, spend less than $5 and do it yourself.
Save your money people. If you want to cleverly replicate the tree for the movie buff in your life, spend less than $5 and do it yourself.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
6 days and still going strong...
I am still sick. At least I have a voice when I wake up in the morning. The first couple days of my cold I had barely a whisper of a voice. Today I have a nasty sinus headache and can't stop coughing. I hate colds. I was so proud of myself because it has been more than a year and a half since I had my last cold. This is a major accomplishment for someone who normally gets a couple a year. I'm pretty sure I now have a chemical dependency on Neo-Citrin.
I was actually surprised by a few Christmas presents this year. Normally I only get things that are on my list. This year I got a ukulele and carrying case, SNL Trivial Pursuit and a manicure/pedicure kit in addition to some of the things on my list.
Tomorrow I leave my parents' house. I originally planned to leave on Monday but a combination of not feeling well, the roads being bad and wanting to see more my family made me decide to stay longer. I will just be stopping at home in Saskatoon briefly on my way to a Church retreat. I'm sort of looking forward to the retreat and sort of not. It is a complicated situation.
I was actually surprised by a few Christmas presents this year. Normally I only get things that are on my list. This year I got a ukulele and carrying case, SNL Trivial Pursuit and a manicure/pedicure kit in addition to some of the things on my list.
Tomorrow I leave my parents' house. I originally planned to leave on Monday but a combination of not feeling well, the roads being bad and wanting to see more my family made me decide to stay longer. I will just be stopping at home in Saskatoon briefly on my way to a Church retreat. I'm sort of looking forward to the retreat and sort of not. It is a complicated situation.
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