The Old Man is Snoring

I woke up this morning in Regina to a newscaster saying: "Don't complain about the amount of rain we got yesterday. Just be glad you don't live in Southeast Saskatoon." Just wait a minute, I live in southeast Saskatoon. There has been flooding and sewer back ups in our area. I called Ang but she said our place was ok. Environment Canada recorded over 70mm of rain in my part of the city.

Good for what ails you

This morning I was watching a rerun of Daily Planet. There was this story on laughter. The creepiest part was when he was talking about that humans may not be the only animals that laugh. Apparently rats make a squeaking noise when they are tickled. I would like to know who was the one that was tickling rats and discovered this.

Other interesting facts:
* The person speaking is more likely to laugh than the person listening
* Women laugh more than men
* Men are attracted to women who laugh a lot
* Laughing is the only form of communication that is truly spontaneous

Interesting facts about Janny

As of 6/27/2005 7:54:52 PM CDT
Janny is 27 years old.
Janny is 326 months old.
Janny is 1,418 weeks old.
Janny is 9,922 days old.
Janny is 238,147 hours old.
Janny is 14,288,874 minutes old.
Janny is 857,332,492 seconds old.

There are 305 days till my next birthday
on which my cake will have 28 candles on it.

Those 28 candles produce 28 BTU's,
or 7,056 calories of heat (that's only 7.0560 food Calories!) .
You can boil 3.20 US ounces of water with that many candles.

My birth tree is Walnut Tree, the Passion
Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egoistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromises.

The moon's phase on the day I was
born was waning gibbous.

Underpaid and Underappreciated?

I found an opinion piece in today's New York Times about the problems with teachers being underpaid. It is from an American perspective but still applicable to Canada.
Reading, Writing and Retailing By DAVE EGGERS, NINIVE CALEGARI and DANIEL MOULTHROP

I was checking out Manolo's Shoe Blog and found a link for In Souls. I was reminded of a story:

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,'but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'" Matthew 21:12&13 (New International Version)

Children's Books Meme

My sister issued a challenge to list what books from the Teachers' Top 100 Books
I read about 33. I may have read more of them but these are the ones I remember reading. Which ones have you read?

1. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White (9-12 years)
3. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
4. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
5. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (4-8 years)
6. Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch (4-8 years)
8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (Baby-Preschool)
11. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (Baby-Preschool)
13. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (9-12 years)
14. Where the Sidewalk Ends: the Poems and Drawing of Shel Silverstein by Shel Silverstein (All ages)
17. Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
20. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin, Jr. (Baby-Preschool)
22. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (4-8 years)
25. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
26. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka (4-8 years)
28. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9-12 years)
30. The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne (4-8 years)
40. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9-12 years)
42. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (Young Adult)
56. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (9-12 years)
57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary (9-12 years)
62. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
67. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (4-8 years)
70. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (9-12 years)
73. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (4-8 years)
74. The Cay by Theodore Taylor (Young Adult)
75. Curious George by Hans Augusto Rey (4-8 years)
78. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (9-12 years)
80. Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9-12 years)
84. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish (4-8 years)
85. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (9-12 years)
94. Clifford, the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell (4-8 years)
99. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (Baby-Preschool)
100. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch (4-8 years)

AFI 100 Years...100 Quotes

My favorite movie quote is from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Marilyn Monroe's character is trying to find out if a gentlemen is rich (and thus suitable to marry her friend).

Lorelei Lee: I've been wondering, what's your line Mr. Malone?
Ernie Malone: My line? My most effective one is to tell a girl she has hair like a tortured midnight, lips like a red couch in an ivory palace that I'm lonely and starved for affection. Then, I generally burst into tears. It seldom works.

What is your favorite movie quote? Discuss.

How ya feelin'?

Hot, Hot, Hot

Supposed to be even hotter today than yesterday. I was so hot last night as I tried to fall asleep, I covered my feet in a cold, wet towel. At least it is supposed to be cooler the next two days. I plan to not turn on the oven today.

My job prospects are rather depressing. I have not had a teaching position to apply for in weeks. I have not had a single interview for any of teaching positions I have applied for. I have no idea what to do with my life. People tell me I need to get a full time job (like I am choosing subbing over a contract). What happened to this alleged math teacher shortage?

I read an interesting article about Nick Ray in the Vanity Fair Hollywood edition. He wrote and directed Rebel Without a Cause. It was interesting to find out the story that he wanted to make (which could never be made in the 50s). The resulting story still had parents freaking out.

Silly Janny

So what is Janny doing on this first day of summer? Baking pies at 11pm, logically. I thought to myself, "Self, it is still 24C at 11pm, time to bake some pies." Actually the ladies where making pies at the church tonight. Ang and I promised to take some home, bake then freeze them. It just happens to be a bad day to be baking pies (on a hot day with no air conditioning). Ang's logic is "It can't get any hotter". I have all windows in the house open. There is a nice cross breeze so it isn't that bad. It is supposed to rain tonight. Hopefully it doesn't before I go to bed.

I might be in trouble...

They are updating the Canadian Copyright Act. First reading of the ammendments(pdf) happened yesterday.

Wave of Babies

Issue 9 of Teen Girl Squad!
It's Over!

Centrifugal Bumblepuppy anyone?

As if I was not freaking out enough that our society was getting closer to a Brave New World when I read this article: British Team grow sperm and eggs from stem cells. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I am freaking out!

Movies I want to see but have not gotten around to yet

Garden State: I own this movie but have not even taken it out of the package yet. I bought it about a month ago but misplaced it for awhile. I have not been in an emotional space to be able to watch it yet. Just ask my sister or Ky that I have to be in the right mood to watch certain movies. Hopefully I can watch it soon.

Coffee and Cigarettes: Ever since I saw the trailer for it, I wanted to see it. I keep on forgetting to look for it at the video store.

The United States of Leland: I promised my sister that we would watch it together and we have not got around to it yet.

Spiderman 2: Everyone I knew that wanted to see this movie, saw it without me. So I had no one to go to it with in the theatres. I have not gotten around to renting it. Since I have moved to Saskatoon I have viewed disproportionately less movies.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: I showed up late to see some of my friends watching this movie. I caught the end of it. I might just have to rent it myself.

Donnie Darko: Director's Cut: I have seen the version that was released in theatres. Apparently the directors cut is much longer and makes more sense. Recently I had someone highly recommend that I check out the director's cut.

Big Fish: I saw the beginning of this movie. Maryanne and Christopher rented it. I was so tired I could not stay awake. You know I must be pretty tired if I cannot stay awake to watch a good movie. It was due back the next day so I never did get to finish it.

The Big Lebowski I need to know what people are talking about. Besides, a movie about bowling? You can't go wrong. Oh, maybe you can.

I'm sure there are more that I cannot think of right now.

oh great, not again

As I was washing my hands with a bar of soap, it slipped out of my hands, hit the counter and slide into the garbage. I guess that is not as bad as in the toilet.

Book Meme

Last book I bought: That is a really tough one since I have had to get my book buying under control. I have so many partially finished books I decided I wasn't allowed to get any new ones until I finished them all. The most recent one I remember buying is The Information by Martin Amis. It was a replacement copy since I lost my original copy during university. I have received others more recently as presents.

Last book I read: the last book I finished reading was The Five Love Languages
by Dr. Gary Chapman. I finished it last week.

Book I am reading now:Brief History of Infinity: The Quest to Think the Unthinkable by Brian Clegg. It is a little mind-boggling so you can't read a lot at a time.

Next book I plan to read: There are a couple that I have started that I wanted to finish. I probably will finish reading The Golden Ratio : The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number by Mario Livio.

Five books that mean a lot to me:
(in no particular order)
1. In School by Ken Dryden
2. I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman
3. The Bible (of course)
4. Introducing Fractal Geometry by Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon. All I have to say is as John Archibald Wheeler, protege of Niels Bohr, friend of Albert Einstein and mentor of Richard Feynman has said, “No one will be consider scientifically literate tomorrow, who is not familiar with fractals.”
5. Breakfast at Tiffany's : A Short Novel and Three Stories by Truman Capote. I used to love the movie until I read the real story. The movie was accurate of the book except it left out the beginning and end (which changes everything). There was no happily ever after.

I want to hear from you now.

I found a website that has video clips of Vince Vaughn you can download. I spent my morning downloading and watching select clips. Highlights include:
* Vince kissing Craig Kilbourn's hand
* Sketches from his SNL appearance (with him and Will Ferrel acting like cats)
* Late, Late Show promo with Janeane Garofalo
* Dwight Yoakham's video for "These Arms"

I think I need to go to the doctor about this cold of mine. It has gotten worse.

Try to keep up with me on this one...

Warning: There will be a lot of pop culture references in the blog. So amateurs try to keep up with me, you are going to get yourself an education.


My newest and greatest obsession is the TV show Veronica Mars. It is absolutely fabulous. It is clever, funny whodunit kind of show. Here is what you need to know.
1) Has been called "Twin Peaks for the teen set".
2) Great lines like "Go small blond one! Annoy like the wind". (Guess what my new favorite line for Angela will be?)
3) Surprising evidence that Harry Hamlin can act.
4) Great guest stars like Aaron Ashmore, Tina Majorino, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Joey Lauren Adams and Alyson Hannigan
5) Veronica and her father solve mysteries every week. Her father is a private detective. There are several big mysteries of the season. These will have you hooked.
6) It can current be seen on CTV on Monday nights at 8pm.

The entire season has already been shown on UPN but I don't have that channel anymore. I wish I did then I could watch Dance 360. It is so bad it is great. My only regret is I did not discover it sooner while I had the channel.

OK enough TV ranting, on with the stories of my life.

I am still sick. My throat is not as sore but now it is a head cold. I hope it goes away soon.

On Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church, I moved my Galileo's thermometer out of the sun. It must have slipped out of my hand because it hit the shelf it was on too hard. The bottom broke and the contents poured all over the shelf and the books on the shelf below. Of course I only keep my special books in my bedroom. A used to be perfect 76 year old copy of Homer's Odyssey now has water stains. Fortunately it only effect half the books on the shelf. It makes me sad. The thermometer was a present from my siblings. It was pretty cool. I had just moved it to my bedroom that week. Sigh.

I feel greatly misunderstood. We were playing the game True Colors. The last two times I have played that game I have done poorly. I really feel like everyone has this perception of me that is so far from the truth. Even people who think they know me can be like that. I think part of the problem is that I rarely hear the good things people think of me. It has been getting really hard to deal with lately.

I bought a scanner today. My friend Isaac lent me his scanner in September and I still had it. I offered to day to buy it since he just bought a printer/scanner combo.

My tutoring session for tonight was rescheduled for Sunday. Ang and I invited some friends over to play games. I rule at Quick Scrabble!

My throat hurts. I think Ang is a cold carrier. Lots of people at her work are sick but she is not. I really have only have been at home so I think she made me sick.

Sixteen Candles

Real Men Can't Hold a Match to Jake Ryan of 'Sixteen Candles' - Hank Stuever, Washington Post Staff Writer, February 14, 2004

Mosaic Review

Since neither my sister nor Ky and Lyn did not right a review on Mosaic, I guess I will. Maryanne even promised to do one. For shame!

Last weekend, Regina's multicultural festival Mosaic occurred. Unfortunately, we only went for part of one day and with a large group so it was like Fast Forwarded Mosaic. It is difficult to go to all the pavilions that people want to visit. I wish I could have spent more time at each place. I am disappointed that I did not get to see the candle dancers at the Philippine pavilion or the fire eater at the Caribbean pavilion. I had the impression that some people in our group wanted to go to spend the least amount of time at all the pavilions that people in our group wanted to go to. They just wanted to go home (which is OK).

Some general comments and stories about Mosaic:
* Kara almost made herself sick with the goal of eating something at each pavilion.

* It was nice that there was an Irish pavilion this year. They had been shut down a couple years ago due to some rowdiness. Everyone was very well behaved. I enjoyed the Prairie Gaela dancers. We got to see a little bit of the band Crofter's Revenge. They were pretty good. The funniest sign at the Irish pavilion: "If you're smoking you must be on fire".

*Ran into an old friend who used to live across the street from my parents' house. I had not seen her since high school.

*Like always, it was very hot and humid in a lot of the pavilions.

*I accidentally "flashed" some passersby outside the Caribbean pavilion. I had two shirts on and was taking one off. Oops.

*The Scottish pavilion was a blast. We arrived just in time to see the highland dancers. It just so happened that where we were standing was the perfect spot to listen to the Celtic band Celtae. We were right at the front. Of course, we were right in the middle of the rowdies but they were hard to avoid there. The finale with the police, all the dancers and the pipe band was cool as always.
One of the reasons we wanted to stay for the band was because of two cute guys in the band. While they performed, the cute drummer kept on looking at Shannon and the cute lead singer/guitarist kept on looking at Lyn. And who was looking at Janice you ask? Well, the overweight security guard with the handlebar mustache of course. Story of my life.
An unfortunate side note about the Scottish pavilion: only Lyn, Shannon and I were there. Bronwyn, Lyn and I arrived there first. Shannon got in but the others did not because there were too many people already in the building. Shannon, Lyn and I wanted to stay but Bronwyn wanted to go home. She left her car with us and was going to catch a ride with the girls waiting outside. Or we thought were waiting outside. The pavilion was so noisy I did not hear my cell phone ringing. After we left, I noticed that I had voice mail. The first message was my sister calling to say that they were leaving. The second one was Bronwyn wondering what happened to the other girls. She eventually called her brother for a ride home.

My apologizes for not updating my blog in awhile. All I had really done lately is work and look for work.

I'm such an idiot

I accidentally dropped a brand new roll of paper towel in the toilet.