some secrets about my life

here is a little christmas treat for you

some secrets, not really secrets because I don't care...maybe more some interesting facts

1. I am the worlds most sound sleeper. I am reminiscent on this because it is christmas tomorrow. When I was just a wee child, young and impressionable I never really bought the whole santa claus thing, but not only did I just not believe it, I also wanted to catch my parents in the act. There were quite a few years, probably starting at about age 5 where I slept under the christmas tree just waiting to catch them. The thing is I am much to good of a sleeper. This year in fact, becky and sylvia were cooking, set off the fire alarm and I had no idea. The only way to wake me up is to say my name. My favourite wake up is "Danielle, it's (insert time)". Very simple and to the point. That way I can judge how much longer I can lay in bed. I will even accept a graze of the calf. My oma is AMAZING. I loved her wake up this year. So moral of the story. I never caught my parents.

2. christmas music drives me crazy. I am a bit of a grinch. I do however like orchestral christmas music. Working in retail I get to hear a lot of it. The absolute worst is the long dragged out songs where some artist tries to put their spin on things. Please just STOP!!!

3. I have way to many books. I am moving to winnipeg at the end of this semester and so I sent a whole whack of books home and my room is full of piles. There are a lot of magazines too. I have to start collecting now so that my library can be extensive. I want to be able to have people over and say, oh I have just the book for you! I do also want to have read most of the books in my library and I find the classics are really hard to get into. I have only two books on the main go right now. I also always have a book in my bed. It needs to happen!

I have still had little motivation to write. There has been lots of great stuff happening but I just don't feel like sitting and writing it down so I'll see how far I get today.

I was thinking at work about Karma yesterday. People do good things in order to have good things happen to them, or to prevent bad things from happening. Isn't that pretty self-serving? At the same time I don't believe in not being nice to people, but I just like to be nice every once in a while.

Also, I had a neet moment sunday at church. There is a blog I follow and If I knew how to put links into my blog I'd do that right here. Her name is Jill. It was a little weird (also because I know she'll read this), because I know her pretty well from reading her blog, but this was only the second time we've ever met. We have now taken our relationship to the facebook level. It's weird how you befriend people. Can this be classified as meeting online although we have other mutual friends?

the winnipeg

On the blogging front I've been a little lazy, but on the living not so much. Today is the first day since arriving home tuesday. I worked 5 hours each of those days. Yesterday I went out for lunch with my cousin to the restaurant in mcnally robinson, and that soup was unREAL!!! I will go again any day just for that soup!

On the airplane ride home I was thinking about myself. The thought came talking to an asian guy beside me whom I simply had no understanding of the words he was saying. Also, I had to restructure some sentences to be less confusing. Maybe that's why people think I'm a little odd. I do admit I have a particular way of expressing words that is unique from other people. I like it though but I feel that it is a bit of a liability when seeking job interviews.

There's so much going on right now, but I have just had no motivation to express myself through the art of blog. I have also had no motivation to read all my other blogs. Maybe it's because I don't have to study. That's probably exactly it!

blog from the airport

I must say, it's real great that the airport offers free wifi. I'm having a heck of a time. I get to update you all on my life, drink a cesear and watch some footie highlights. Overall it's been a great day. When I awoke up this morning I had a wee bit of panic because I wasn't sure my flight would be leaving on time. In Sarnia they had people getting stranded on the highways.

It's sad. I just left becky and I'm texting her already.

Also, I just went to buy the customary magazine and pack of gum. They also had some essentials including condoms. I do not understand why on earth one would need condoms. Maybe joining the mile high club. I feel someone that would be that reckless is not someone that would wear a condom. No airport public liaison is a situation in which people would be responsible enough to wear a condom.

The drive here also wasn't so bad. It's great to have a friend actually drive you.

I think I'd like to just start hanging out in an airport for fun and meet strangers. It's to bad that parking is so damn expensive. (I'd do it in winnipeg, not here...certainly not)

I really don't have much to say. I have just always wanted to blog from an airport. Mission accomplished. I feel like a bit of a hipster/totally lame for being on my laptop in public....blogging. I feel to ostentatious using a laptop in public. I don't think I judge others for doing it though. I just want to look like I'm doing important work.

I could spit on a stranger

I'm nearly done exams. I wrote my business law this mrning and I realized that I really do hate that class. I just can't write it well. It also sucked because yesterday in preparing my egg sandwich I tore a significant amount of skin from the thumb of my finger resulting in a sore thumb. Right before writing I brought a band-aid in and taped it up so that my thumb wouldn't get to sore as I was writing. I felt like an athlete taping up before a big game or something.

I'm really excited to come home but man it's going to be busy. Tonight I'm exciting to go out with becky for her birthday. I also gotta pack.

Today was also significant in that it's the first time I've worn makeup in what I think is about 10 days...maybe more.

It will also be the first time I try and clean my room and probably start packing...see you soon

exams really suck

So You've noticed that after my pretty steady rate of blogging, I've dipped off a little. Well, there's an answer for this an it's name is Geoff Hoover aka my finance prof. He decided an exam would be a great idea for the end of year and make it worth 50% of my grade. Neadless to say I've spent a lot of time procrastinating, but little time coming up with great blog ideas.

I'm so happy to be done. This exam season is pretty crazy but pretty exciting. I am however writing 4 exams in 6 days. I'm so happy finance came first because I had to do the majority of my studying for that class and by the end of exams you get so exhausted. Can you imagine studying crazy crazy for two weeks straight. I couldn't. I probably clocked in about 40-46 hours of studying which is significantly more than I usually do.

For my exam tomorrow, the total is closer to about 7 hours. I think I'll do better, it's a pretty easy class. I'll wake up early tomorrow anyways.

It's weird though. I could definitely feel the stress of exams and I realized for the past days I've been eating about 1.85 meals a day. Partialy because I'm to tuckered out to cook, and partially because I'm just not thinking about food. It's moments like this it would probably be beneficial to live at home where someone could make food for me. Oh well.

Today's supper just happened at the ripe ole time of 10:28 and I ate a can of mandarines. Yum.

Maybe a little bit more review before sleeping, but gosh darn it when I get home I'm sleeping in until noon!

follow the yellow brick road

We opened some christmas presents today.

Three of us now have matching nails

number of hits!

Well guys, I'd really think it would be cool if I can get over 500 page hits next month, and with your help it can be done!

I feel this would be a great sense of accomplishment. In the last month I have gotten about 350. Let's boost this up!!!

Tell your friends.

Tell strangers on the street.

Tell your pastors.

Tell your little brothers and sisters

Tell your financial advisor

Tell your garbage man

Tell everyone

so sad...

Watch the following commercial

So you may have seen this commercial on TV for the new windows 7. This commercial begins to epitomize how we are all screwed as people. How sad is it that we have to spend this much time on our phones. This shows that people are more interested in virtual lives than their actual lives. Is this not the sadest thing that you have ever seen. There is also one with a father at a soccer game and he indicates that it's a good thing he has this phone implying that without this phone he'd miss his kids soccer game. Are you serious...you are going to miss your kids soccer game in order to check your facebook/twitter, whatever lame crap you have going on in 'not-real-life'!. The phone at the end says designed to get you in and out and back to life. Why not just call. It's true however, I have spent hours on facebook just seeing what people are up to. However with my closer friends, I'm not going to creep them. I just realized that I never creep my closest friends profiles, unless they are winnipeggers and I haven't seen them for a while.

I was also thinking about texting in the shower...you know when you can have a really long text-versation with someone. Does this contribute towards building the relationship. I feel in terms of building blocks (these are all just models that I'm hoping convey my point), you can build more with actual face time than through a phone. Obviously geographic reasons do sometimes make that difficult, but you can still just phone. Texting means that you don't have to give that person the time of day. You can do whatever you want to do, but you just have a minor interruption every few minutes. Furthermore, phones allow you that chance to think about what you're going to say long before you have to type it, but also gives you that option of not even texting back. I don't know how I feel about text relationships. If I generally have something quick to say or if I'm bored I'll text people. But I do find it tedious to have a long drawn-out conversation. Eventually I get tired of waiting for my phone to go off. Then I feel like I'm wasting time waiting for it to go, when I could be doing something.

Another thing that bothers me is, if I'm going to take time out of my day to hang out with someone, you better not be on your damn phone texting other people. I remember in high school actually being out for lunch with people and telling them to put their phones away. i find that so offensive. It clearly states to me that someone cannot even dedicate a complete hour of their time.

I think that technology has started to drive us away from being able to build proper relationships. People these days also generally have shorter attention spans and I wonder if this is changing the way that people relate to each other as well.

Any thoughts?

americas next top model

So I was watching the ANTM finale, and of course I got to thinking.

Being a professional model is crazy and so shallow and so lucrative, but I find it so fascinating. It's just such a completely different world, and these people have such a strange culture. It's selling clothes to the richest of the rich and I couldn't even imagine the lives that these people lead. I think it must be so tough because I feel there's a lot of people that just talk shit about people the entire time. It's the same with hollywood, there is always someone trying to make a story or trying to hide some shady aspect of everything. There seems to be a lot that's under the surface that normal people like you and I just don't get. Just imagine that tonight you we're going to go walk in some new clothes that people have never been soon, or imagine that you're going to walk on stage on an arena filled with 100000 people, and sing for an hour and a half. That's what some people do for a living. Just think about that? And then think about how few people are privilege to this, and the rest of us are just waiting to get inside.

Then thinking about how there are so many people that are starving, they wouldn't even believe some of the people tht live like this. But I'm also not trying to say this upper elite group of people is perfect. I feel as though a lot of movies or shows try to demonstrate that people are trying to be poor little rich kids and they have no entitlement to feel bad because they have so much money. They just have so many other issues to deal with because there is so much greed and neglect.

in december drinking horchata....Look down your glasses at that aranciata

It's an awfully poetic december first. I woke up and got to see my first glimpse of snow today. I was slightly worried that my first glimpse of snow wasn't going to be until I returned to winnipeg, although that hasn't happened yet it's still a worry. So I woke up and saw a dusty of glorious white on everything. It's really wet snow. It's mostly all gone now, but there are still a few flakes swirling up here, that I can see in the tower, although they will probably melt by the time they reach the ground!

Instead of enjoying the weather however I am memorizing this!

I know it's all backwards, but yikes.... Those are some equations to boot!!!

I want coffee!!

something cool

You know how someone in class says something funny and everyone laughs and you kind of think to your self damn...I wish I could have said that.

Today was my day

I was in finance and we were working through a problem, and the teacher just decided to throw up some hypothetical numbers and then I was using my calculator, not really paying attention. I then heard this voice asking me what the answer was. My reply; 'I don't know how to use a calculator'. It's true, I had no idea what I was doing or whether or not I was correct and often times I have issues realizing what the correct numbers actually are and sometimes hitting a + instead of x.

Needless to say I was the person to brighten everyone's monday morning! And, when the prof began teaching again he had to pause to laugh twice more.

coaches

So I'm watching the provincial (volleyball) finals right now and I was listening to the commentators talk, and so MBCI was down 18-11 and they were talking about how some times you do a wash drill or whatever and practice certain score situation like first to five, or some kind of combination. And this kind of drill that mr. plett could have reminded the players of.

I was thinking then about practice. It's weird about how you practice to get better but you don't really feel like you get better. It's so strange how the more you do something the better you get, and it's fascinating that we as humans are able to learn like this. In one of malcolm gladwells books he talks about how it takes about 10 000 hours to be good at something. For example before the beatles invaded the US, they spent a lot of time playing in Germany and that allowed them to get better. Likewise, Bill Gates spent 10 000 (both estimates) hours doing programming of computers.

I was also thinking, is this subconscious learning, or are we just memorizing habits. I think about this then when I'm preparing to study for finance. I feel the last exam I did spend of lot of time reviewing questions and just practicing doing them. A lot of times (for a lot of exams actually) I spend so much time reading I stop engraving it. How then does this work for sports. A lot of times people do so much better when they put things out of their head. Things like dancing, (modelling - yes I watch ANTM), and volleyball - basically physical activities.

I wonder why it seems to be a different cognitive process for these.

I just wanted to put this out

I am just wondering if anyone else feels the same way

Paper packing on popsicles are WAAAYYYY better than plastic packaging

respond

hey russia

are there really people from russia reading my blog....can you please answer this?

to much nudity at school

Today I saw way to much in my entrepreneurship.

To start there was a girl in my row who needed to leave the classroom for some odd reason (she is often disruptive, often a talker) and she was wearing an adorable little dress, the problem was that it came up as she was stepping over someone's bag and I got to see her cute little pink underwear. No thanks. I didn't want to.

then another group was presenting and they had one girl, who, I don't even know if I could imagine putting an outfit like that together even in the dark. I'll ask you to picture, a pinstripe suit, capri's instead of pants. She did recognize that it is winter, and so she bundled up with some black panty hose. She paired those with black booties that had a sparkly little gem near the ankle bone. Moving up to the top, she had a blazer paired with...oh wait, she wasn't wearing a shirt under the blazer. That's right, as far as I could tell it was just a bra. I was sure that there was going to be a nipple slip (there wasn't thank goodness).

It was really funny hearing her talk as well. She was the 'hypothetical' marketing director. I remarked to sylvia that sex was clearly going to be the basis for their advertising. The group also talked about not taking salaries so they'd be moonlighting to supplement salaries. They would.

Then for the conclusion, this girl came and talked a little bit more, and I realized she had a serious set of moose knuckles. The entire time was so difficult for me not to laugh. Sylvia had to hide her face with her hair to keep them from seeing.

pretty pumped now to watch some mhsaa volleyball action!!

the thing is....

See the thing is, clubs are just so gross.

I'll elaborate, they aren't all bad. The thing is boys are such pervs. Like if I'm dancing I really don't appreciate someone thrusting up against me. Number one, I have no idea who you are. You are violating my personal space. Most of the time you sneak up behind me and I don't really care to turn around to see who you are. Boys in clubs often are very predatory, they have one thing in mind and that's to find some girl drunk enough to rub up against them, and hopefully take them home at the end of the night. (I'm saying most guys not all...sorry to all the good ones out there). The thing is, I'm not like that. I'm not DTF - sawry. I just want to dance to the music. Most of the songs I would never listen to outside of club context. There was one guy on thursday who was trying to dance with me and he was singing along to I don't even remember what song, but it was to the point where I felt that I really didn't need to have the song drilled into my head. I was actually laughing while he was singing. I didn't let him stick around very long. I'll admit when I was younger I danced with a few boys...it's true. Another reason it sucks, is because there are quite a few that have no concept of rhythm. Like if you are moving back and forth I would prefer that you are moving to the same tempo that the song is playing.

So I'm sorry to my mother that you have to read this. I'm just telling it like it is.

Oh yeah, another funny story from saturday. Some guy wanted to dance with me, and it was near the end of the night, and I was watching someone to make sure an issue didn't get into a larger issue and so he wanted to lead me further into the crowd of people to dance, but I needed to stay within eye contact. So he asked me for my number. I played it cool. I put it in as D. If he really cares he'll try his luck. So I got a text last night hey baby what's up? I got it this morning and answered with lol, who is this? I have no intention to ever see this kid again. I guess I could have just not given my number, but whatever, I'd feel bad. Momentary lack of judgement.

To continue on my bar rant.

They are always so crowded. Like I want my space to dance. When I'm with out with my peeps I'd like a little bit of room so that we can move around. I'm not all about the 2 step. I might want to maybe take two steps to the side every once in a while. Maybe even a step backwards to mix things up, and I know the people I'm with don't want a space restriction as well. On the other hand I don't want to be dancing in the back40 of the dance floor. I also don't want my dance to be controlled by the people around me. I hate when the dance floor is so crowded that I no longer am allowed to control my own body movements. Even worse, getting made out on. No one wants that for themselves. I'm not a wall. I'm not a bed. I'm a person.

I also find it funny how boys just pull such big creep moves. Being much more sober lately than in previous years of my life I have began to often call them out on it. Again, thursday, I saw three guys just pulling the full out creep. I right out said I saw that whole thing go down. The had nothing to say. It was really funny.

I also enjoy the feeling of thinking back and realizing that I was not slutting it up with anyone on the dance floor. Like here's not a classy move, putting your hands on the floor and dancing with someone like that. I'm have really started to think about what people may think when they see me at school the next day.

I had a great little rescue moment though. I was waiting for sylvia and becky to go to the bathroom and allowed for them to do their business and while waiting some girl that I had seen outside not looking so good. So she clearly was not to talented at walking. So I took her by the hand and led her to the washroom and said go in here. I held the door shut for her, because her motor skills were so poor at that moment she was not going to be able to lock it herself. I then took her outside and she was able to locate her friends. Thank goodness. Someone took her home shortly thereafter

Oh yeah...I've seen her on my bus before as well. She won't remember but every time I see her that's exactly what I'll have in my head. Talk about making a good impression!

90s mcgee

It seems there have been a number of 90s movies and TV shows that have caught my attention lately. I was watching full house once and there was one episode that she was wearing a dress, would not have all looked out of place now.

except in this situation she had the black version

I got this picture from american apparel, and speaking of them. It's possible they may not exist as we know it in the near future. Their CEO is not the smartest business man that has ever been around!! It's to bad, because I love american apparal

She wore this outfit the episode she was trying to be one of the 'cool girls' who are always the characters dressed WAYY to old for their age.

the second instance of some great 90s clothes comes from the baby sitters club, during day camp dawn had this great shirt on

So who says the 90s had horrible clothes! And american apparel, way to keep your style in the past!

the best song I've ever heard

I have never listened to John Butler before, I've heard of him on a few times, and I don't know what prompted me to listen yesterday on youtube but I did. I decided to see what his most popular song was based on what came up in the search bar and so I encountered this Gem.

I think this is the last song I want to hear before I die. I feel that it encompasses my life's outlook. Like from now on if someone asks me what I believe in I'm just going to play this song. I'm sure that other songs will come and go, but this one is something that's going to keep coming back into my life.

S&M

Clearly it's been a productive month. I've had nine posts in nine days!

So a few days ago I heard Rihanna's new song S&M...really?!? Is this really what she's singing out? I feel bad for all the parents who are going to have to explain this concept to their young impressionable teens. I think that when kids ask me about this stuff I may ask them to refer either to wikipedia or their friends who will most likely creep them out less...then when they have questions I'll do a check in with them. But really, there has always been debates about what kind of influence celebrities exude on children. Like the whole sex, drugs, rock and roll. People back in the day did not like the messages in music. I still can understand why parents worry when their kids are singing You shook me all night long! Kids are still singing this today (it's not a night at the bar unless they play this, save a horse ride a cowboy and everyone's favorite don't stop believing). I feel that a lot of songs are much less about the music. Like why do people want to have children watching miley cyrus how performed on the EMA's without pants. I just don't get it. When I was younger I will admit the lyrics never really bothered me, but now some stuff I just get disgusted by. Like that's really how you express yourself. I also am someone that can appreciate artistic license, but when you are in the public eye it is important to demonstrate that there is substance and purpose to what you are doing. And you also need to know what kind of stage you are on and who your audience is. If you want to talk about S&M, maybe you should be going to a bondage conference and singing there, but it should not be on public airwaves. Also think about all the offices that allow employees to play music during the day. If I go into a doctors office or something and I'm hearing S&M I'm going to questions what kind of people are working there.

Obviously this is an argument that can be much further developed, but I don't really feel like exuding that much brain effort at the moment.

Harriet the Spy

I felt this entry may be slightly lengthly and I wanted it to have it's own title.

One of my favourite movies as a child was harriet the spy. I could hardly wait to get that neon orange case home and delve into the lives of strangers along with harriet. I didn't just stop with the movies. I read all the books and I wanted to start spying myself. Sadly suburban winnipeg just didn't really provide me with a great spy stage. Eventually I moved passed never turning down an opportunity to re-watch the movie. I've seen it a number of times and I realize that I have even been inspired by the movie/book. One of the reasons that harriet spies is because she wants to see and know everything so that she can be a writer one day. I don't want to be a writer one day (although I would love to be a professional blogger, and stay in my jammies all day - pipe dream though) but I love writing everything down. I have a lot of thoughts and my blog does give me an outlet. Sometimes for those I don't feel deserve a whole blog entry I'll just jot it down in my notebook.

This weekend I decided it was time to watch the film once again. When I went to download it I also noticed there was something called Harriet the spy; blog wars. I realized that there was now a disney channel remake. I figured that as such a dedicated fan I should at least give it a try. It was horrible!!! Everything about it made me want to cringe.

I will give you 8 reasons why I hated it.

1. Blog wars- are you serious. As soon as I realized Harriet was competing against her nemesis (night)Marian for being the school blogger as opposed to editor of the school newspaper I could see right through it. I felt that disney was trying to teach children about social media and the importance of buzz.

*I forgot to mention above (I'm on a computer I could just go back and edit) I used to love Marian. I feel that I can often identify with the bitch character...another point blair waldorf from gossip girl. I like that preppy snob character. That's what I used to want to be when I grew up. Maybe I felt like these people could be more successful because they had the guts to get out there. But this seems more like a jumping point for another blog!

2. I feel like disney movies perpetuate someone's character way to much. Like they give someone's entire character away upfront. Like if you are an environmental person they are going to make up the fact that you can't go somewhere next weekend because you are working on building building eco-lodges for western chinese immigrants working on organic farms in guatamala or something over the top like that.

3. The main character was that girl from wizards of waverly place. Like the dumb one that can't do anything. Yes I have watched that show on few occasions. I'm comfortable enough with myself to admit it. But I could act better than this girl. She has such a whiny voice. I feel that she exemplify the harriet character very well. The original harriet the spy story takes place in new york (which this one does) and the character is very much a part of the city. She is very individualistic, and a little bit of an oddball. She is also happy with her independence and doesn't whine. Someone needs to tell disney costume designers that putting converse sneakers on someone doesn't make them an individual. This girl also didn't have anything mysterious about her. She wasn't a very good sneak. She also put on glasses everytime that something was about to go down. That doesn't mean anything!

4. I think the fact that it's a disney movie encompasses so many of my issues with the movie.

5. They didn't stick to the original plot. Like the character was similar but it was just so so cheesy. It's about harriet's dad

6. In disney movies movie star characters are always egotiscial pricks and seem dumb on the outside, but we really don't know them, they're just like other people! This happens

7. The character of ole golly. Ole golly is a wonderful nanny. In the original she was harriet's confidant that just told it to her how it is. Didn't ask those provoking questions or use a patronizing voice. She was very simple and to the point. In the new version she remains a confidant, however I find the way that she communicates much to flirty. I would almost compare it with the character of willy wonka. In the new one he's much more flirty. The character of ole golly also uses a lot of quotes. In the new movie she just said them like not seeming contextually. I felt that I needed an explanation as to why she used the quote in that exact moment. This was a huge let down for me.

8. It bothers me when someone hides in disney movies. They don't make it more obvious. If I'm going to hide behind a couch I'm not going to jump as high as I can to land on my stomach. I can't really discuss this better.

broken mess

So a follow up to yesterdays blog. I saw the girl in class today. She said hi, and sat with her chatty friend directly in front of sylvia and I. Luckily they were slightly less distracting than usual. Today I decided to man up to the rest of the class. There was one point where everyone started to get a little bit to loud and so I raised my hand and said "I'm sorry I'm having a tough time hearing over everyone else's chatter" Surprisingly people were quiet enough to hear my comment. But after that everyone settled down and didn't talk the rest of the class. I'd like to practice my confrontational skills a little bit more. I'd like to become better in those kinds of situations where I need to interrupt or disturb someone (for the better). My heart was racing a mile a minute after. I'd just like to able to act better on my toes.

a small world situation

So I don't generally talk about people that I don't like, simply because I don't want to get myself in trouble one day....

Today is one of those situations where I hope some people don't read my blog. I don't really know them so that if they were reading it would be an unlikely situation.

So to start there is this girl that is in mine and sylvia's entrepreneurship class...she talks the entire time. It makes me batty. She sits with this one friend and they talk the entire time. Last class she even started giggling so much that she had to get up and leave the class and disrupted the teacher. These two sat in front of me one class and talked in normal indoor voices, didn't even care that we were in a class.

So the last class there was a spot beside me and I leaned over to sylvia and said 'if she sits beside me I'm going to tell her she better not talk if she plans on sitting beside me' thank goodness she didn't

I just hate when people talk in class

Yesterday we decided it was time to get our dance on and so one of our neighbours informed us one of his lady friends would be coming over to the house...and that we were to be nice to her. She was pretty brave because she was going to be coming by herself.

So sylvia, becky, and I were all sitting on the one couch when the door opens...I turned to sylvia isn't that the girl from our entr class?! It was. I nearly lost it. It was a very awkward situation having to make small talk. Then we got to spend the whole night out with her. It's just really funny all around. I have class with her tomorrow....I wonder if she'll talk to us.

being an only child

As those of you that know me...I am an only child. I've realized that being an only child has definitely played a difference into what kind of character I am. I have always been interested in birth order kind of things. Like that the older child is independent, the middle child is a bit of an outcast, and the youngest is the party child. I do feel that being an only child has given me a lot of independence. Living alone I've noticed that I can pretty much do whatever I want whenever I want. I feel this has also left me with the inability to recognize the feelings of other issues and I think sometimes people mistake my feelings for being snobby. Often I have been in situations when I return home with my parents and if I want to leave here, I go. But in those situations I have to think about all the people there, and if someone else still wants to stay then I have to. I think that this clearly is weird for me, and I'm afraid my parents may mistake my frustration because I try to keep these feelings internal. Sometimes I don't even mind staying. I hate when you don't really care about something, like if you get roped into doing something...thinking that you hate it they constantly are asking if something is ok. I realize that you always respond with that high voice that is so misleading because often your voice goes up when you lie. I've had a tough time trying to say what I want to say. Basically, I think being an only child has made me a little self-centered.

I'm panicking

American Apparel is very much nearing the pit of bankruptcy. Someone please send the unisex hoodie in black ASAP!!!!

To be honest I'll take whatever else you want to send me!

kids are dumb

I won't lie, I just hung up the phone with my father getting another lecture about how I'm dumb. Yeah...it's true I am. But I must say...the school year has been interesting so far. I have noticed that this year I have been getting a lot of talks from teachers concerning midterms and marks being much lower than previously. Like I have not been doing fantastically but I'm still getting well above average. One of my classes, the average was 55% and it was not a hard test at all. I was also talking to Becky today and she said that the BCDO (Business Career Development Office) is having a difficult time getting people to come to events. They have even had to cancel events due to lack of interest. It's interesting because these are all pretty important, things like resume building and networking skills are things that are more and more vital for graduating.

Becky and I were discussing this little conundrum this morning and we think that people just don't give a shit about university anymore. Like way back in the day it was awesome if you just got your high school degree. Then it moved into being critical. Now it is pretty much critical to have a degree if you want a job because you need to make yourself competitive. I feel like in 10 years people are going to think it's crazy that these sessions were never filled up because the demands will be even higher then.

Sylvia had a very unlady-like moment today. I told her I was going to blog about it. Now none of you in cyberspace will be her friend (don't worry she's actually really nice - well sometimes). So we're walking to the vehicles after class and she just bends over and horks a giant loogey. Sadly she failed to notice the guy walking right behind her who nearly runs into her as she bends over to spit. She nearly died when he said something to her. Then as we're driving back to my place she tries to spit from the moving video. No it did not exit the car. The spitball landed right behind her shoulder on the door. Needless to say...we had to pull over. It was way to funny, I may have let out a tear or two.

egg sammiches

I won't lie, I can make a darn great breakfast. My specialty. Egg sandwiches. Also, egg wraps (tortilla shell instead of bread). I just know how to put everything together well. One of my favourites was when I was at Katie's boyfriends house and he made incredible sandwiches with fresh cooked back bacon and fresh picked herbs. Yum. I feel that if I ever opened a restaurant it would for sure be a breakfast place serving my special sandwiches. The thing is...my roommate becky doesn't like them. She doesn't really like eggs that much...so that may explain part of it. I just love them so much. When I make the wraps I even take the time to toast them in the pan once it's all assembled. This morning I had kulbassa that I fried in the pan after frying the eggs, and instead of traditional cheddar I used. It was good. If anyone ever wants one of these magnificent creations give me a ring. I love to make them. I think half the appeal is how good you can make something in so short a time.

get off my keyboard cat!

Becky and I dressed up as bums for halloween. My hair looks insanely cut-and-pasted onto my head. At least no one spat on us.

Oh yeah, I wrote an exam saturday morning. It went awful. I have never felt so frustrated. It was my finance class. I felt like no matter how much I studied I just could not get anything into my head.

hallow-whore

So I went out for the first bar night of the Halloween season last night. Just wanted to get some dance action on. We also went out with Chalmonds who is tiff's (our old roommates) boyfriend. It was so fun! It was great to see him again. The best part was 'knowing people' and calling ahead and getting in in front of the longest line I have ever seen there. The worst part about going sober though...it smells just awful.

I must say people really stepped it up last night. I don't care what you say, if you go out in public wearing a bra, you are a slut. You are good for one thing. I don't care if any boys are saying 'ya but it's hot' (roommates included) it's still so so trashy. Even celebrities on music videos or lady gaga or britney spears back in the day, all sluts. I feel like your parents are so disappointed when they see it. I remember back when showing a little midriff was cool back in the day and I totally got in trouble for it.

I guess these costumes also gave people the excuse they need to dance harder than they ever have before. Now, as someone who is starting 'out-grow' the childish let's go dance with boys at the bar...(to be honest I don't think I was ever in this phase) I just don't care to dance with anyone. I have much more fun with my friends. One of our neighbors pete is a barback and said that girls were upping up their moves and driving their assets into 'frontal regions' so to speak. No thanks. I'm really laughing at the thought of all the one-night standers waking up right now and thinking omg I slept with where's waldo, or even worse a costume that had lot's of facepaint...or worse yet, someone that had a mask ha ha ha

There were also a lot of fights, mix a lot of booze and some fairy wings and let's just say...shit's going down. Our other neighbor I learned last time she drank can get very angry and last night was not an exception. She got kicked out. There was also a girl fight with like six girls on the street. There was one inside the bar. Once we decided to leave and were waiting to see if anyone from the court was coming out so we could cab with them. Right there on the street some girl (little red riding hood) was yelling at some guy yelling stuff like 'where's your law degree now?' and dropping some c-'s and b-'s. Then there was another guy waving down the police who had apparently had his shirt entirely ripped down the front.

I didn't go in costume at all, but I'm real excited for you all to see it. I'll be sure to post a picture. You'll laugh

damnit janet

I am listening to the preview for the rocky horror themed glee tomorrow. I feel like I'm having a michael scott moment, because I love the songs but I'm to cheap to buy them.

I also wanted to say I have kind of a strange worry. I worry that when I'm older weekends are going to suck. I'm going to not have school work to do. I probably won't have hobbies. It's weird thinking there are people that always stay in on saturday nights. I admit I do it now but I have no reason. Like I'm just worried I'm going to get bored. Another plus for having kids.

That does really sound like a negative attitude!

floating world

I am going to talk about differences today.

A difference with boys and girls. This came up with a conversation I had with purdy. He was saying that his bed is not very comfortable and I was bragging about how awesome my bed is (I don't want you all to think this was some sort of flirtation because it was not). But it's true. I would say the bed I have is one of the comfiest beds I've ever been in. He retorted by saying that girls always have comfy beds, it's true. None of my roommates have comfortable beds. I'm really trying to find a way of talking about boys beds without sounding like a whoore. But anyways you all can probably vouch for this anyways. I believe this is because we more often have full sets of sheets and we care more to be comfortable when we sleep. We also have way more pillows. I see beds with one flimsy little pillow and I couldn't imagine sleeping in such discomfort. I generally sleep with about three or four pillows having a direct impact on my sleeping space. I just want to be comfortable. I have thought about trying to limit myself because I'm worried about possible back problems. It's just not going to happen though

Another thing I've noticed through facebook creeping, and just life in general is that high school kids in manitoba look way younger. I remember going on volleyball trips to nebraska and seeing girls thinking they must be playing for older divisions, only to find out that we would be playing them our next game. Even on television you see movie stars that are around my age and they look way older as well. Like taylor swift is younger than I am (I think). It's crazy. I feel so old.

It always seems that I blog on mondays, I wonder why that is.

From here it's clear that I'm not getting better, when I fall down you put me back together

I have just discovered a new favourite song. Saturday I was creeping through some blogs and saw an accoustic version of the song Put me back together from the Raditude album released last year. I have listened to this song countless times, and I even spent yesterday learning it on my uke. I just LOVE IT!!

Anyways, last night I didn't sleep. Obviously I slept a little but it was a very unrestful sleep. Before going to bed I was watching Paranormal State followed by psychic kids on A&E. I used to watch paranormal state all the time, but the problem was the commercials for paranormal activity, the movie. I kept having dreams that I was doing ghost hunting and I would be seeing the creepiest stuff, like unexplained doors closing and stuff. The thing is...I don't believe in ghosts. I'm not sure how to explain it. I don't deny the fact that some people may experience the paranormal but I don't feel that I could ever have such an experience. I feel like my mind is to cynical to experience anything. I think it's interesting to think though that as children our minds are much more open and I could have seen a ghost on the street and just not even realized that. I think that experience that we may have with the paranormal are mental, not that I'm insinuating mental conditions for those who do have these experiences, but I feel that it may not be what we think it is. With the psychics on the show I felt it was weird because there was one kid who had experiences with a man who followed him and was trying to kill him named Mr. Rosenberg (apparently this guy followed the kid home from the cemetery....messed up). I don't understand how one person can have these experiences and another psychic wont see this Mr. Rosenberg.

Also, I was thinking about how asians have "american/canadian" names. It's always interesting what kind of names they choose. It seems very old school names, like wendy or ann. Never any of the names that were popular when we were children. No madison, or taylor, or even the classic jessica which was the top name of year I was born. It's all very british names. I wonder if this comes from the fact that Hong Kong was under british rule until only recently.

Another thing about asians. I feel at my school if they are ever exchange students from china they come solely for business. i wonder why they wouldn't come for anything else. I feel it's the same with brown exchange students to. I feel that business is the most culturally diverse faculty.

One final thing. I went to go get hot water for me tea just now at school and I think the girl working at the coffee shop had her gum pierced. I've never seen that before.

who knows

It's continued to be a great week. I realized that my life on a chain of happiness goes from just mediocre to really great but it never really dips into the poor side. I'm really thankful for that, but it could also be the kind of personality that I have. I don't really get mad that easily.

There's lots that I could say about what I've been up to lately, but I'll focus on yesterday

Yesterday Galen Weston, the CEO of Loblaws was at our school receiving a distinguished leaders award. And yes it is the Galen weston from the superstore commercials (worth switching supermarkets for). It was really a neat event. Number one he is a great looking guy, number two he is quite tall, like exceptionally tall. I want to see a commercial now so that I can put his height into context. So the topic that he was talking about was the future of food. As the guy running the largest supermarket chain in canada he needs to be the kind of person that is leading change. The global food market is one that is really skewed in terms of people eating 'fairly' (Know that I think about it I wish he would have talked more about fair trade). He was talking about the changing trends in eating, and how growing countries like india and china are changing their dietary needs. He also talked about the depleting fish stocks. Different demands that we are going to have in the future are something that we do need to look at now. The problem for him is that he needs to find someway to remain profitable but change the canadian eating habits. He did give some good examples of how canadians have already been changing their minds by voting with their wallets. Canadians typically don't care where their food comes from. If they did, we would all be vegetarians. The way that meat is prepared is just awful. Lately I have been thinking about becoming a vegetarian, but the problem is that I just love meat to much. So I have decided to take out meats one at a time. So far I am taking out bacon, I feel that bacon makes the biggest gluttons and It's in no way beneficial to eat. I am also hoping to give up fast food hamburgers. Anyways...it really came clear to me that we need to make people change their minds.

My final reactions, I feel like he was like a walmart type organization trying to make a turnaround. I feel that there is a lot that is unsaid about the company and that a lot of their changes have been made as part of a campaign to get more people to shop their and not as family orientated as Galen would like to have us believe. If Galen really wants people to change, he would need to lose money. He would need to change packaging of his products, he needs to change the sourcing of the foods and he needs to prove why this is a better way, and make everything affordable. I think that I am willing to spend more to have better sourcing, it is definitely something worth investing in, and I think that if canadians realized this they would change as well. Sadly not all canadians can afford to think ahead like this because face it, prepackaged food is SOO much cheaper. I do my best to avoid pre-made food, but sometimes it is good. I do also hate how foreign foods get americanized so that it can be appreciated by our 'delicate pallets'.

another thanksgiving blog

So it comes around every year. Thanksgiving. I don't think that I have ever gone a major holiday without going to a family dinner. There are some people that are just like 'no we're not doing anything this year' or 'I have to miss it' but that has never happened for me. Like last year I am at becky's again and I am having a swell time. I am enjoying the holiday much better as well due to the fact that I have much much less homework than last time. I have also not really been stressed out at all this year. So I did some homework yesterday and today, just some studying and have really just been pretty lazy. I have been doing a lot of work to catch up on watching it's always sunny in philadelphia.

Yesterday we were at sandy's daughters house and it was very nice to see them again. Phenomenal food (of course) and time spent in the hot tub after dinner. Before dinner becky and I were hanging out with Jodi (sandy's daughter) daughters. They were showing us their halloween costumes. It makes me wish that I was young again. They also informed us that Becky should dress up as a pumpkin and I got to be the princess. I think becky got the short end of the stick there. Then we went outside with them and jumped on the trampoline and were so thankful that there was netting around the outside because I was sure we would have killed one or both of the girls. I also jumped so ferociously that I broke my necklace. Then after dinner we hung out in the hot tub and the girls were showing us all their hot tub barbies and were climbing all over us and we were just the apples in their eyes. I have one more meal coming up in about a half hour. Best stuffing ever!!!

this is why I had a great day

- iggy just made this

- I slept in

- it's Katies birthday (but it actually sucks because I didn't get to join her)

- I get to go out tonight

- I didn't really study that much for a german test, and I did alright

- I got told by my german classmates to dumb myself down

- I won a $100 gift cert to canadian tire

- although I did purchase tofu and noodles from teryaki at school and it was awful. I have never had such horrible tofu in my life.

networking breakfast

I completely forgot to write about the networking breakfast I attended yesterday...it was pretty much one of those events that people go to in attempts to make some sort of connection to the real world and hope that someone spots something magical in them and offers them a job on the spot. I feel that is an extremely irregular event. So anyways... I got there (wearing my all black suit of course) and the first thing we did was eat breakfast. I wasn't feeling that hungry and a piece of toast would have been satisfactory. Sadly that was not one the options on the menu. So I had to suffer through some horrible looking scrambled eggs, cold hash browns and out of season fruit salad. So I met up with a girl I know through friends and we made our way over to the only empty table that had the reps from grant thornton sitting at it. To be honest I had no idea who grant thornton actually is, so I just played it cool and relied solely on the small talk aspect for that. I didn't ask them any questions about the organization at all, but from what I deducted i was an accounting firm...totally what I am not into at all. So I went to my first table which was stryker, a company that does medical equipment. The representatives were very intense people and it seems like a very intense company to work for as far as sales and all that go. In fact sales positions are more midlevel because the demands are so high. Then I went to pepsi and she was pretty intense as well. She pretty much talked the entire time and I feel that she really did not give anyone an opportunity to talk. She also talked about how she had to sacrifice having kids and marriage for her job. I do not want that to ever be an issue. I understand that work is important but I don't want that to be the only thing in my life. The best company I went to see what definitely Canadian Tire Financial Services. They were the only people to actually ask us at all about ourselves. I felt everything was very one sided for all the recruiters. Becky was helping out at the event and she said that she thought that It seemed like a lot of the employers were talking a lot as well.

a teacher

My finance Prof is a babe. Becky and I were just discussing course evaluations.. our suggestions...teach without clothes. I have a few stories he told us

1. Today he ended off our class comparing the last 6 classes to a bad movie. One that you don't really want to see and get dragged to, and the whole time you're thinking about how much you're hoping for a good ending, and then all of the sudden it's over and you leave with 'that's it?!' We finally got the last slide today and he could see the disappointment in our eyes that; that was it!

2. He stars off class saying, this is completely unrelated but it's just so funny I had to tell you. He first writes this on the board ....l-ea. He then says that this is the name of a brock student and that her mother had called in complaining that none of the teachers were saying her name correctly. Apparently the name is said ledasha...ha ha ha Nice spelling

Also, I'm sitting in the new marketplace at brock, time for breakfast and I am munching down on a chocolate scone. Living the dream is the only phrase that comes to mind. I feel like such a cliche though. Typing on my mac book in a public space....

Wow...this is a later edit...turn out if you google him my blog is like the 8th one down...how embarassing

2nd baseball post

So I said that there were a couple of good stories from the baseball game.

1. After visiting the VIP section, we were going to take the elevator down to the main level where our seats were. We were not allowed to take our open beverages onto the elevator so they all took the stairs. Sadly I was the last through and the only one to notice the sign saying that was an exit only, and there was re-entry allowed. I decided that I needed to be a hero so I was going to rush down and let them back in. Unfourtunatly I tried a little bit to hard to play the hero card and I was completely unaware of how to skydome works. This also left me separated from the entire group. Another problem is that I did not have my cell phone with me, thus NO PHONE NUMBERS! Luckily I have encountered this kind of situation before (one where I try to be a hero and get lost), and so I realized that I was not going to make it down the stairs in time. I had to take another elevator..so I got a lid and got on and made it down. Unfortunately I arrived on the main floor and there was no one to be found. I was feeling really dumb at this point. I made my way right over to someone standing near some doors and explained my situation. She then directed me to an attendant who let me use a phone. I tried calling becky 4 times, then finally she picked up. The day was saved! I was rescued. Thank goodness.

2. When we first arrived downtown it was not time for the game to start and so we went to this place called real sports bar. We were completely mesmerized by the number of TV's. This place was packed. We were also seriously underdressed. Many people had just come from work and were still wearing their suits and what not. Iggy was not prepared at all. He was wearing a long sleeve T-shirt and basketball shorts. As soon as we got there we all had a good laugh at our unpreparedness of the situation. It was a really cool place though. Probably had the largest screen I have ever seen and it probably had 100 tvs in the place. We then had a few drinks there and jeff and his buddy ordered some nachos and they were amazing. They had pulled pork on them. I had a tough time cutting myself off.

3. So for most of the game I did not pay attention. Instead I spent my entire time yelling at Swisher, one of the yankee right-fielders. It was great because he was totally able to hear us. We also got the entire section taunting. Iggy also said that he was right in front of the ballboy who had his head in his glove because he was laughing so hard.

4. There was one part of the night where there was a sign saying 'David Robert's the freshest name in nuts'. So I turned to becky and said 'I don't mean to be a bitch, but that's not how I want to be known' The guy sitting in front of us heard and totally kept turning around the entire evening. He was loving our conversations. We were to rockstars of our section.

Running circles through the graveyard throwing daisies in the air

So I'm just finishing up the classic catcher in the rye. An interesting story, I actually asked for it for my birthday from becky last year and we got it a day or two before J.D. Salinger passed away..weird coincidence. So anyways I'm at the part where houlden is freaking out a little bit about dying and his tombstone is going to have his name, years he was alive and then 'fuck you' beneath that. I was then thinking about my tombstone and I was thinking about what if I wrote something cryptic like 'I love you.' And then I was thinking about how some people always have the phrases like 'live, laugh, love' or some other inspirational phrases. (I'm taking you on the trail of thought I took). So I arrived here in the meadow of contemplating.

Why are phrases like 'live,laugh, love' so popular? That seems to be very popular for like tattoos or wall hangings and what-not. This is my personal belief. I think people have such a tough time dealing with big issues and their own personal views of the world that they rely on key phrases like this so that they themselves do not have to go into moments of personal reflection. When somebody young dies there is often a facebook group and many times I've seen the phrase 'forever and always' or something to that effect. Obviously this is something nice to say and it conveys the meaning that you wish to show, but I think it somehow cheapens everything because it's the only thing you know to say and I feel it's not genuine. Maybe people are just to scared to reveal their real feelings and so they hide behind these phrases. But on the other hand they may not know what their feelings are and so they use those as temporary pillars, but then don't go on searching for their own words.

I'm sure those of you that know me understand that I like to be different (that's a given). I don't like to sign my cards the same way as everyone else. Even in high school I tried to do every presentation in a different style. I just don't want to be boring. I probably might be giving people a hard time because they are not like me. I think sometimes I do have issues in recognizing the fact that everyone does not like being an individual. I do struggle with this. I hate when people fail to have their own recognizable identity. I might also just be a snob. I think this is also why I like reading so much, I get to hear a story that I don't already know.

Also it's been a rainy weekend. I won't lie. I love the rain. It is a great excuse to sit in and do nothing. I've just been reading and finishing up some work. And it's so much nicer to drink hot beverages when it's raining out.

hey swisher...you're a bum

Yesterday I went to my first professional baseball game...oh yeah I hate baseball for one. But we had free tickets. It was amazing and I owe Jeff a huge high-five, and maybe even a bow in public because of how well we were treated. He even had VIP tickets (but only four) so we could all go into the VIP area and get our drinks and then we went back down to our normal seats. It was also a fun busride - lots of stories that I don't have the strength to write.

Also yesterday I had to buy a suit for the networking breakfast I'm attending next week. It was weird. I generally can't take myself to seriously when I'm dressed nicer. I felt like a bank teller. I didn't like it because it gave me know individuality. I'll never be able to just wear a black suit. I will have to accessorize. At least if I had a uniform in high school I would be able to accessorize to 'rebel against the authority'

don't need much of anything

I had full intentions of getting home at 11 today, and immediately blogging. The whole bus ride home was spent filling my head with ideas. Alas, it is 20 after 5 and the blog process has only just commenced. The only thing that I recall from earlier is thinking about how the parking spaces in front of the brock tower are stupid. There are two spots close together and then a little space blocked off between each set of two so that you can have a decent time trying to parallel park. They could have added at least 2 more parking spots with all the room those took up. People that can't parallel park into those spots simply just should not have their license. I do recognize that many of my friends and acquaintances are not very skilled at the parallel park. Well LEARN!!!

Also, I used to always think I didn't like the weakerthans. With this new computer they transferred all my old music, some songs I guess I had not deleted and I encountered the old classic - I hate winnipeg

*Tangent story. I was making fun of tillsonberg the other night saying nothing good comes from tillsonberg. Becky rebuked that statement saying that at least they have a song written about it. The only song written about winnipeg is I hate winnipeg...thanks for nothing guys!

So I heard this song and I realized I should give them another chance. Fell asleep listening to them that night!

there's no good way to say I'm leaving you (slow club if you're wondering)

So I was just creeping around my blog today and checking out some of the features. I encountered stats, and it turns out someone from latvia has read my blog, and someone from turkey. Apparently I'm a global sensation. That's not true....I just have someone that has accidently stumbled across my home on the web and has never returned. IF you are regular readers...feel free to subscribe. I'd love to have to creep in on my personal life....(actually I don't mind at all)

With regards to my ears, I made iggy drive me to shoppers last night. I got some ear drops and they are helping significantly. It's just annoying to have a constant drip.

I will now attempt to proceed with some studying

are you missing something? Looking for something?

I won't lie. I'm in a lot of pain right now. I woke up this morning with a lot of pain in my ear. I think it's just a wax buildup or something. It feels like I have a hand covering my ear because it's difficult to hear as well. This is problematic because I already have poor hearing from one of my ears. I'm hoping that when becky gets home later she will help me take advantage of a 24 hour shoppers drug mart where I'm hoping to get home hydrogen peroxide. I already tried getting hot water in my ear to try to melt the wax out via shower but to avail became of that.

I have a group meeting tomorrow at 10:30 and soccer at 4. I will not be able to play tomorrow because I am so dizzy and off balance. I'm doing everything I can to help relieve the pressure. Laying on either side, holding my nose and blowing (trying to pop them). I'm just thrown off. I'm just waiting for SNL to start the season premiere with amy poehler.

Another Saturday night ha ha ha (jealous?)

a post related to coffee

I decided to cut today into two, your eyes can have some relief!

I just made a phenomenal hot beverage. I made some coffee, and mixed it with general foods coffee. Amazing.

I also noticed something this weekend (I was trailer trashing it in dover), bikers always hang out at tim hortens. Is that badass or something.

The longer part of the blog. I realized that when I am about to enjoy a good meal, I don't like to eat it with people. I hate having to talk to people while I eat. To be perfectly honest I love to have all my five senses relaxed. It's just stressful, don't talk with your mouth open, ask questions...I just wanna eat my damn pasta. I love to sit and watch tv while I eat. To be honest I get excited while I prepare a meal just so I can watch something good while I eat it. Don't get me wrong though, there are times I enjoy sharing meals with other's but sometimes I just prefer to eat alone. I also love reading while I eat. My entire high school career consisted of my father and I eating early due to sports and I would read while he did the crossword, and as soon as my mother got home we would quickly hide our stuff and pretend that we were eating like a normal family because she is a talking person. According to those commercials family meals are important to keep your kids out of drugs...Actually while I was home at summer the same thing would happen...

sorry for dropping the ball dad

mom this isn't true, it's just a story for the blog

I'm a boxer, who just returned from London

So do you remember a few days back I blogged about how much I love C.R. Avery... I will elaborate on why I love him.

The first time I saw him was at the winnipeg folk festival about a years ago, 2009. It was a rainy rainy day and I believe he was a tweener right before burning spear(?) but I'm possibly making that up. I remember he got the whole crowd amped up on such a rainy day, and we was climbing on the scaffolding holding up the stage. He also didn't have a lot of time and only got to do two songs. I also remember my dad saying that's all he's got, just that one gimmick song to win the crowd over. Well if that's true, it worked!!! After the festival I kind of kept him on the back burner.

I also have really started to push musical boundaries and in a way while back post I mentioned how hard this is, but I decided to try to re-discover C.R. The inspiration struck again when I saw his concert-on-demand on CBC radio website. I also wanted to try and experience more live music this summer and so I have a few bands that I try to watch out whenever they are coming to winnipeg. (Avett Brothers at folk festival made my life!!!, shame I'm missing mumford & sons in TO).

So back to the story...This summer I had one day where I just was not having a great day. I had some un-needed, undeserved, and unwanted un-friendlynes (some great literary device usage there). I was really cheesed to say the least. This summer I was also determined not to let things get me down, and be happy just being myself. So after this night it was about 12 and I was listening to CBC and there was his on-demand concert. I just had a huge rockout session in my band and I was changed by his music. The rain was pouring out my frustration for me, and he was saying what needed to be spoken, but he did this much more poetic than I could ever do. I'll never forget that moment and I don't know why.

Recently, like last week I decided to see what old C.R. was up to and I couldn't believe my luck, he was going to be here in St. Catharines. So yesterday was the day. I wasn't even sure whether or not I would have anyone to go with. I decided to muster up my courage and ask becky to come with me...I figured she'd probably think I was a total weirdo, but I'd probably look pretty strange being alone. So she agreed to come, and I also made a point of not second guessing her decision or questioning and just letting her think that it would be great. It wasn't until later I gave her a few more details. The plan was to go to night class and then have her pick me up. On my bus ride to school I was visiting with Scoot and telling him that tonight I was either going gain a million cool points or lose everything I have ever earned. He decided, screw it I'm coming too!! So that was two people that could have lost respect for me for being different...(over dramatic much?) I was panicking a little because I thought we were going to be late but we arrived just in time.

He was incredible. One of the better live shows I have been to. Shit...it was so good. Apparently he will be playing in hamilton coming up and becky and scoot are sold on seeing him again. It was also pretty funny because he kept wanting to go outside for a smoke, but we kept encoring him up on stage. It was all pretty casual there. He was also nothing bad to look at. So basically a great night was had.

I just love music, people!

I have no voice

I mean this only in the physical sense. I physically cannot speak at the present time. I feel that perhaps it is because of the amount of drinking on frosh week. I was never out of control though, it was just the consistency. I have made it to all my classes. But tuesday, the virus struck. I woke up feeling a little weird and it got worse as the day went on. It was really only a snip in the background. Then Wednesday I woke up and started to worry. That night we were over at sylvias and it sounded pretty bad. I had an oregano oil shot and that helped so I have been trying to keep that up. The worst part though is the fact that everyone is making fun of me. I started off having the unusually high voice and now I have gone to nothing. I have also had the of passing this along to becky as well. My bad. It really came to a bad point tonight when I was at a zumba party (we're down in t-burg) and I just felt so awful and got over heated and just could not dance. I tried way to much to be a hero.

So school has started this week. And I have began that freakout about the rest of my life again. I want to do something that I'm good at. I have also been taking an entrepreneurship (mandatory) class and it's really forced me to evaluate so many things. I have always thought of myself in two ways. As really cool, and how could people not want to hire me, but then I always get humble and think that I have nothing to offer. I know that I probably won't get a "dream job" when I first graduate, but I have no idea what I even want to work for. I think that ideally I would like to work at a fashion magazine or in the music industry, which really now has become an entertainment industry. I'd also love to be a writer. My skills don't even reflect the type of major I have. I'm a good listener, so I think HR (the therapist of the business world) no thanks. I also do really enjoy marketing but I don't think that I have an innovative enough mind. I am excited though because I have joined a program at school called mentorship plus. I'm going to be matched up with a brock alumni who was in business and that will give me some sort of idea of what I'm going to do. I will also be a mentor for someone who is in first year and help guide them. (great for resume padding). I am also going to a networking breakfast with the school. Should be interesting....

talk (write) to you later

Hell of a Hotel of Harm

I'm not much for poetry, but this C.R. Avery gets me

I wish people out here listened to more variety of music, I need someone out here to come out places with me!

row row row your boat

I got to do something I have really wanted to do for a while yesterday, and that is row. Living in St. Kitts I am able to have the unique experience of having a professional rowing course. I may have mentioned that there were masters here a few weekends ago as well. My aunt and uncles are all rowers themselves, some in a rec league and one uncle who is in an old man ass kicking league. So there was a just for fun rowing event yesterday and so our family decided to enter a team. Being my first time, it was very interesting. We were definitely the least experienced team out there, but I'm sure we had the most fun, actually I don't think my one cousin had the greatest time, she was swearing just a little bit...It was frustrating for both of us because we had never done it before and there were all sorts of words that I had no idea what was going on. It's also difficult because obviously you need to stay in sync with other members of the boat. You also need to make sure that you are getting your oar out of the water in time or it will stay in the water and take you out. That didn't happen to me to often because I was lucky enough to pop my oar out in time, but I had to watch out for my cousin behind me. All in all I would do it again. Here are some pictures of me from the day. Looking at these I forgot how pale I am!





Also, I cannot even begin to describe how many sports games I have watched recently. Living with boys, that is all I do!

I throw my hands up in the air....but only sometimes

Last night I went out to stella's here in st. kitts. It was a pretty great night. I feel like a goal has been accomplished. I have always wnted to be the person that started the dance floor and tonight I was able to do that! Becky and I got there and showed our skills, surprisingly with less alcohol than one would expect from me. I guess I'm just becoming for comfortable dancing in public. I hate though when you are the only ones dancing and everyone around the dance floor is looking at you, to scared to make their own moves.

Then later we went out for a smoke with scoot and jeff (yeff?) and some guy comes up to us and says "hey you guys started the dance floor" .."Yeah that was us", Cool alright glad he recognized our accomplishment. Then he continues (this is the losing part) "You guys can come back in and grind up on me later" ...No I won't. I respect that you have the guts to say that but no, absolutely not. Then he found us!!!! and we ran away from him ha ha ha.

Then later I talked with some people about being dutch and german, this brings me to something I've been meaning to mention all summer. I don't think I know specifically what I am, like when someone asks, where are you from? I don't know the answer. Do I dulve into the entire mennonite history. Do I even say mennonite? Last night I stuck with just german, because I had no desire to be anything else. Do I get to pick and choose because the family has moved around so much?I could be dutch, french, russian, ukrainian. Maybe I'll just say european. That seems like a bit of a skeezy answer. So here's the question of the day for you that actually comment (manny, josh lol). What are we? (note: these two are also members of the mennonite community)

the handshake

So life's good, just living the dream. The first problem I have encountered with living with boys has made it's self evident.

The setup
There are many boys that come to our house. I have met some new people within the last four/five days. Obviously these boys are someone that knows people in the house. We also have neighbors/friends returning back to school and so once they come over they need to greet everyone as well.

The problem
As each person comes in a simple howdy is not appropriate. The guys have the 'man-shake' that they are able to perform in perfect harmony and they just know what to do. The 'man-shake' is not an appropriate greeting between males and females. My problem is that I do not know how I am supposed to greet all these people. This issue is also encountered as people leave.

Temporary Solutions
I have basically played it by ear with different people. Some newbs will only get a distant hello, especially if I am tucked away on the back couch. I have also been able to perform the fist bump which has been ok. It becomes an issue when the other person 'explodes' at the end of the bump, which I can perform but I am not able to always predict when such 'explosions' should occur. I have also given out some hugs, but it's always a question as to how long to hold them.


So I need some help on dealing with this issues...suggestions?

the first blog of the new school year

To be honest, I haven't actually started school yet, but I have been moved in about three days ago. It's going pretty good. The transition is always a weird moment. After summer I have spent so much time with the summer I feel weird without them around all the time. I think I always feel way closer to growing up when they are not around. I almost feel bad about this because I feel that I need to in some way "honour their memory." Obviously this sounds weird but I find it way easier to leave here than to leave home. It's also been harder every year. I think this is because I am closer to having to make a huge life decision about what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. These feelings will all probably be good in about a week once I have a little bit more structure. Right now my schedule consists of staying up way to late and laying around all day. It's pretty nice!

I'm also living with boys which is something that I have never done. It's kind of weird seeing "the other side" of everything, and I feel privy to a lot of the man talk that happens. I know am a possessor of some of these secrets. I'm pleased that this is all happening though, because I do not need to worry about drama. I'm with a whole bunch of people that just don't care. Or let me rephrase, they care about sports, drinking and hanging out with their friends. I'm not completely in the same boat but they are all activities I support. I do look forward to this year.

I'm frightened by those who don't see it

The world is weird, of course I don't need to be the one to tell you that. I was thinking about the phrase "I'm down" this morning. Or "I'm out", both of these being phrases that I frequently use. But Now consider the expresssion being down and out. In this situation down is not a positive term. When I use the phrase I'm down it's because I'm down with the situation, I am wanting it to happen. Maybe I just like negative sounding words.

On another topic, I often think about race. Like black, white, yellow, etc. I don't know why I think about it so often but it's just something very interesting. I totally believe that racism is out there, and it's most evident in situations that are not negative. What I mean by that is stereotyping is often done towards a racial group. I also think about how there are many groups working towards empowering members of a certain ethnicity. Like "black women against abortion". Why does it have to specify what kind of people are in a group. I feel like this re-inforces the sterotypes that people do work hard to break. Many people also talk about being proud of who you are and of your heritage, and by doing this you are again working against the same thing you are fighting for which I believe is equality. By labelling yourself I believe you are placing a certain value upon yourself. I don't think that there every will be a fairness between ethnicities. I think this is coming up because of a debate on cbc about a song about a down syndrome baby was nominated for an emmy this weekend, and there were people to (obviously) took some issue with this. What I like about family guy is that it's keeping racism out in the open. I think when we can laugh at our differences and have them become more familar it makes a bigger impact, and it's better when it's something that everyone is able to laugh about. At least they don't pick on one single group.

I don't really know how to conclude this kind of statement. I still believe that everyone should be treated fairly. I'm not going to give an different consideration who you are. If you are a jerk you are a jerk, not because of what colour your skin is.


And now for something completely different.

I always feel weird when someone is confirming something with you, or you're checking off a list. Like what is an acceptable word to say, I usually go with a "yup" or "mmhmm", I've heard "ok", "yes" and a variety of other things. I always end up mixing it up, and I think it is weird that I've mixed things up, like do people notice. I just hate saying the same word repeatedly. I wish I could just do a grunt and everyone did. And the word always sounds like there's a little lilt of a question mark at the end?

I tremble

So I've always wondered when listening to the radio, why on earth nickleback gets played. I do not know a single person that likes them. Not one single one of my friends would voluntarily listen to an entire song. I've always wondered who it is that keeps requesting them, or that style of music. (others like daughtry, or whatever sheit people listen to). So I was expressing this at work the other day, and it turns out my new office manager is a fan, like enough to buy the CD, and she keeps threatening me by making me have to listen to it.

So I figured there must be a reason for this. I think it's because of the CRTC's commitment to keeping canadian radio canadian. I forget what percentage of the music has to be from canadian artists but this is the only explaination I can think of. Radio stations obviously want to play music that people are going to listen to, and I think people for some reason would rather hear a song that is by an artist that they are familiar with. It makes me frustrated when you play a song that sounds just like something that you could here on the radio, but because it's by someone that is not famous it's not going to be given the same chance. This is something that really bothers me as someone that does not generally follow main stream music....At the same time, I don't want everyone to listen to the same stuff I do.

Another thing. I guess I have not realized how many people read this blog. (HUNDREDS!!! just kidding) But seriously, leave a comment, let me know you are here. It's very inspiring!

jamesterday, all my troubles seemed so james away

The title describes a song I once heard a friend sing upon a jolly little trip across the pond to england. When I was in grade 12 I had the opportunity to go on this trip with my class and it was the greatest experience ever. Now most of you will not understand the james quote. The inside joke about missing James who happened to be a boy in our class that was in fact not on the trip. The running joke then became "Hey James look out for that car?", or "Is Everyone here? Where's James?" I just wanted those who read my blog that went on that trip (manny this is you) to remember, and for myself in many years as well. This kind of came up because I heard the song yesterday while my mother and I were at "the river barge festival" at the forks. Simply put, some musicians on a barge in the harbour. It was really neat though. We first heard chic gamine whom my mother really loves. Then the symphony was on and part of their performance included some beatles songs. Really neat



(sorry this is not from the barge festival, I just wanted yall to hear them.

England actually works as a nice transition to what I want to talk about. A few weeks back we got a free preview of sentanta sports, which is the best channel to watch english premier league, and it's just a great football channel. However, there was one night they were broadcasting hurling. You may think, Danielle, why did you want to watch someone puke. But alas it is not upchucking for and hour and a half, but alas it is a legit sport, played in ireland. Consequently, the first game we were watching was commentated in gaelic. Best language EVER. I don't think that you could ever be mad in that language. It sounds like a more sophisticated baby talk. And so happy-go-lovely. Anyways I would describe this sport as a combination of football (soccer), lacross, field hockey, football, rugby, handball, tennis with an irish brawl. Pretty much a free for all. It's played on a field set up like a soccer field, with two goals at the end that have two upright posts that a small ball can be sent into. My father and I also didn't happen to have any idea of what the rules are, so that made things much more exciting. I actually looked them up on wikipedia the next day. Here's a film to describe better what I'm talking about




By the way, helmets were only just made mandetory, like 2007 or maybe even later
I would so love to go to one of these games

10th floor please

So I have wanted to go to ten spa for pretty much all summer after an experience with my mother a few years ago. I've learned that the spa lifestyle is one I'd really like to be a part of, except the financial constraints really get in the way. I needed to get in there so my brilliant idea...massage! That way I could have health care pay for at least part of the costs. I also didn't want to drag any friends down dirt poor road so I just went by myself today. It lived up to my expectations.

Some lessons learned...
- I love steam rooms. I love the feeling of just sweating things out. I prefer steam to sauna because the smell is so much better.

- A lot of body products you buy at the store are of tasty but simulated scents. At the spa everything is natural smelling, like herbs and stuff. It's weird how you would never think that an herb you cook with could also be used in your massage lotion.

- I had a naked experience. I went into the steam room and there was a lady with her business fully on display, did I look yes of course, it was right in front of me. I did not feel awkward though. I let her catch a little skin to let her know it was alright and then I just shut my eyes and relaxed. I did also make sure not to make eye contact.

- The massage was beyond any massage I have ever had. Hot towels were used on my back and after he was finished he put on Japanese mint oil and it made it all numb and tingly. He then moved on to giving me a foot massage and you all probably don't know this, but that is a weak spot for me. I was having such a tough time focusing because the mint oil was good enough on it's own. I nearly lost my breathe. I also had on a sleep mask because I was facing up and it was weird because there were so many different sensations.

Please, someone bring me again!