My past few summers have taught me to enjoy the little things that make life so wonderful.
I like rain. I like corn. I like my new bicycle. Scratch that, love my new bicycle. I like splashing in the puddles and getting others soaked - who doesn't?? It reminds me of my childhood when spring and summer rains meant riding my bike as fast as I could through puddles with Jennifer M then going home and warming up with grilled cheeses and hot chocolate. I like reading the classic novels I never did in school, like To Kill A Mockingbird. I like an afternoon on the couch with red curtains. I like me a good crossword - Will Shortz, should you be young, strapping and handsome will you marry me?
I also really really love love love to a million and one pieces, the perfect Little LJ. I cannot wait to see him smile. I think he likes me. I bet he will even more when I give him his first pair of Chuck Taylors.
Something to chill to on a dreary day.
7/13/10
Vampire Ponderings
Last summer I was taken in by the Twilight saga train. It took some convincing by Mar to get me to read the first book.
Hook line and sinker. I was obsessed. Not in an unhealthy-I-dream-of-Edward-Cullen-and-think-he-will-rescue-me-and-make-me-a-vampire-so-we-can-spend-eternity-together. No, this was just a hunger to find out the story of our dear Edward and Bella.
Truth: I read the last 10-15 pages of the second in the series before I read the first page. I had to make sure Edward wasn't a dickwad.
In the next few months, I began wondering a lot about vampires and werewolves. What they were capable of and such. The book leaves a lot to the imagination. And I had a lot of free time to think of whatever I wanted while I "managed vegetation" for four months.
I began keeping notepads (hotel complimentary, obviously) at my side at all times. Each titled "Vampire Ponderings." I needed a system to keep track of what I well, pondered. Here is a conglomeration of afore mentioned notepads (recently discovered in another notebook):
1. Can vampires be poisoned?
2. How long would it take Edward to cool my coffee? Or turn milk to ice cream?
3. How long would it take Edward to kill oh, 2 hectares of trees?
4..... or a rainforest?
5. How long would it take Edward to turn a bath into a hot tub?
6. How long would it take a vampire to race across the world? Or Canada?
7. Could Edward walk across water, like Jesus? (disclaimer: I am in NO way claiming a vampire nor Edward are comparable to Jesus). Just saying.
8. Werewolves vs. vampires: could they have a baby together? (I HAD thought early on if vampires could have babies, and I was ill-timely informed that they could, alluding to the plot of the fourth book. I was distraught only briefly. More Edward Cullens make the world a happier place.)
9. Can vampires eat food at all? Does it digest? Do they have to use the washroom or does it just, like, disappear in their system if they do consume it? Do they taste it? Do they enjoy it, or is it like eating wind?
10. Do they sweat?
11. Do vampires daydream?
12. Do they need to shower? Or does it make them loose their sparkle?
13. Do they have nerves and feel/enjoy things like showering?
14. Can vampires grow fingernails? Does their hair grow?
15. Is there one super-smart vampire that has been around for ages and makes fake identities for all the other vampires so they can live undetected for so long??
These next few were titled "Kirsten's Vampire Theories." After much debate between Amy and I, certain issues and questions regarding the two mythical humans were resolved, and a conclusion was drawn:
15. Vampires cannot be inebriated or tipsy in any way, really. The logic here being that they do not have blood therefore cannot have alcohol or similar substances enter the bloodstream therefore not affecting them. Plus, Edward is perfect and there is no need to get him hammered - how can he fly you to perfect meadows at a moments notice safely under the influence??
16. Related to the previous: Vampires cannot fail a Blood Alcohol Level test. Although they may not even register. (Disclaimer, again: Obviously, this is not to condone drunk driving.)
17. Vampires cannot reproduce. Because they just cannot. However, as previously mentioned, this thought was shattered.
18. Vampires cannot gain weight. You ever seen a fat vampire??? I really do not think they can get enough blood, so not matter how much they consume they never put on the pounds. They can lose it, however, when starved. Boo yah.
19. Vampires cannot enjoy Reese Puffs cereal. Because they are immune to the side effects of eating copious amounts (ie. massive caloric intake = weight gain), they cannot understand the satisfaction one needs to derive from eating a small portion of them. It is just not fair if they could eat them.
Besides vampires, little else is new and worthy of mentioning at the moment. Plus, it is hard to type with a cast on so I'd really rather not bother. Well, I did break my wrist. And it was my lovely 26th birthday last week. I celebrated with pizza and beer. Best birthday in a year :)
Hook line and sinker. I was obsessed. Not in an unhealthy-I-dream-of-Edward-Cullen-and-think-he-will-rescue-me-and-make-me-a-vampire-so-we-can-spend-eternity-together. No, this was just a hunger to find out the story of our dear Edward and Bella.
Truth: I read the last 10-15 pages of the second in the series before I read the first page. I had to make sure Edward wasn't a dickwad.
In the next few months, I began wondering a lot about vampires and werewolves. What they were capable of and such. The book leaves a lot to the imagination. And I had a lot of free time to think of whatever I wanted while I "managed vegetation" for four months.
I began keeping notepads (hotel complimentary, obviously) at my side at all times. Each titled "Vampire Ponderings." I needed a system to keep track of what I well, pondered. Here is a conglomeration of afore mentioned notepads (recently discovered in another notebook):
1. Can vampires be poisoned?
2. How long would it take Edward to cool my coffee? Or turn milk to ice cream?
3. How long would it take Edward to kill oh, 2 hectares of trees?
4..... or a rainforest?
5. How long would it take Edward to turn a bath into a hot tub?
6. How long would it take a vampire to race across the world? Or Canada?
7. Could Edward walk across water, like Jesus? (disclaimer: I am in NO way claiming a vampire nor Edward are comparable to Jesus). Just saying.
8. Werewolves vs. vampires: could they have a baby together? (I HAD thought early on if vampires could have babies, and I was ill-timely informed that they could, alluding to the plot of the fourth book. I was distraught only briefly. More Edward Cullens make the world a happier place.)
9. Can vampires eat food at all? Does it digest? Do they have to use the washroom or does it just, like, disappear in their system if they do consume it? Do they taste it? Do they enjoy it, or is it like eating wind?
10. Do they sweat?
11. Do vampires daydream?
12. Do they need to shower? Or does it make them loose their sparkle?
13. Do they have nerves and feel/enjoy things like showering?
14. Can vampires grow fingernails? Does their hair grow?
15. Is there one super-smart vampire that has been around for ages and makes fake identities for all the other vampires so they can live undetected for so long??
These next few were titled "Kirsten's Vampire Theories." After much debate between Amy and I, certain issues and questions regarding the two mythical humans were resolved, and a conclusion was drawn:
15. Vampires cannot be inebriated or tipsy in any way, really. The logic here being that they do not have blood therefore cannot have alcohol or similar substances enter the bloodstream therefore not affecting them. Plus, Edward is perfect and there is no need to get him hammered - how can he fly you to perfect meadows at a moments notice safely under the influence??
16. Related to the previous: Vampires cannot fail a Blood Alcohol Level test. Although they may not even register. (Disclaimer, again: Obviously, this is not to condone drunk driving.)
17. Vampires cannot reproduce. Because they just cannot. However, as previously mentioned, this thought was shattered.
18. Vampires cannot gain weight. You ever seen a fat vampire??? I really do not think they can get enough blood, so not matter how much they consume they never put on the pounds. They can lose it, however, when starved. Boo yah.
19. Vampires cannot enjoy Reese Puffs cereal. Because they are immune to the side effects of eating copious amounts (ie. massive caloric intake = weight gain), they cannot understand the satisfaction one needs to derive from eating a small portion of them. It is just not fair if they could eat them.
Besides vampires, little else is new and worthy of mentioning at the moment. Plus, it is hard to type with a cast on so I'd really rather not bother. Well, I did break my wrist. And it was my lovely 26th birthday last week. I celebrated with pizza and beer. Best birthday in a year :)
7/9/10
an interupted summer
Summer. It's supposed to be filled with trips down the river on rafts lugging Palm Beach coolers and Lucky behind it, excursions to the Seebe cliffs for jumping and amazing photos, jaunts to the waterpark with Little LJ.... not overcast with a broken wrist. Sad.
Apparently, falling off the truck equals a bad idea.
Given my new situation, I have come to realize how useful two wrists are.
It is hard to put my hair in a ponytail, wash dishes (hair, anything really), type and text, flip through a book and/or read (summer reading list is suffering), open jars, cut toast and eggs, scoop ice cream, you get the idea.
Thank your wrists every now and then - even your non-dominant one. it might save your ass (or arm and entire left half of your body).
In other news, we had perogies for dinnah tonight and they were fantastic and delicious. thank you, Annie, from the Hinton farmers market. You are my hero.
Apparently, falling off the truck equals a bad idea.
Given my new situation, I have come to realize how useful two wrists are.
It is hard to put my hair in a ponytail, wash dishes (hair, anything really), type and text, flip through a book and/or read (summer reading list is suffering), open jars, cut toast and eggs, scoop ice cream, you get the idea.
Thank your wrists every now and then - even your non-dominant one. it might save your ass (or arm and entire left half of your body).
In other news, we had perogies for dinnah tonight and they were fantastic and delicious. thank you, Annie, from the Hinton farmers market. You are my hero.
5/31/10
*Edited Summer Reading List
It only took one short trip to the bookstore to alter my list. In one hand, a list of books and authors. In the other hand, a gift card from my dad. There was no way the afternoon trip on a rainy day could turn out unfavorably.
A brief distraction by the war and history books on sale and a near $9 steal for Gordon Kerr's Leaders Who Changed the World (final verdict: far more wanted books on my list, and not as big as this fat little book).... and it was the fiction section for me. Who won me over?
The new additions are:
*Lord of the Flies (William Golding) - Never read it (obviously), just like To Kill a Mockingbird. Cannot hardly wait to read it.
*A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (Dave Eggers) - I've heard mixed reviews of this autobiography (which I am often wary about because often they are an embellishment of the truth and frustrate me as to why they were therefore written), nonetheless, I broke down and am taking a gamble that I will be amused by it and hopefully not be bored by the middle.
*On the Road (Jack Kerouac) - Originally it was his novel Big Sur that caught my attention, but I've found this one to have better reviews and more-so the best of his Beat generation novels. Here's hoping (note my crossed fingers...)
*Shakedown: How Our Government is Undermining Democracy in the Name of Human Rights (Ezra Levant) - Stoked on this one ever since I saw him open for Anne Coulter (please, keep the boo-ing to a minimum, she's not that bad).
*Book of Negroes (Lawrence Hill) - Since Uncle Tom's Cabin is on my fall reading list (once I find a used copy, it only seems right to buy an old copy that smells like, well, like a book should), this topic is in the back of my mind. I have heard many great things about this book and far too many people have suggested it to me for me to ignore. It's in the list, baby.
So, there's my new updated list. In no particular order. In between long periods of reading today, I will be making my nephew smile at me and try to get him laughing more (he gets confused when he tries and ends up crying instead, cute little man).
I may also attempt to make some muffins for work this week, although it will be a short one, so perhaps I will make some in Calgs over the weekend. Zucchini is on my mind so hopefully the Farmer's Market pleases me and I barter for some good wares and produce.
I may also attempt to make some muffins for work this week, although it will be a short one, so perhaps I will make some in Calgs over the weekend. Zucchini is on my mind so hopefully the Farmer's Market pleases me and I barter for some good wares and produce.
xox
5/8/10
5/6/10
SAM!! (thanks to Leona for the pic)
Update One:
Proof that Sam was in the condo. BIG NEWS should have actually been the introduction:
Update two: There is no update two. I just didn't want to become the Crazy Cat Lady Who Doesn't Even Own A Cat But Rather Takes Enjoyment And Credit For Her Neighbor's Awesome Cat And His Shinannigans.
Proof that Sam was in the condo. BIG NEWS should have actually been the introduction:
5/4/10
Summer Reading List, First Draft
Hooookay, here's the thing: my attempts to read during the Christmas break failed miserably. I have no particular reason in mind, but I assume it is because I tend to procrastinate far more than I should. Other possible reasons to fall extremely (read: 100%) short of my goal are lack of time due to poor time management, rewatching season 4 disc 2 of One Tree Hill more than once because I was too put out to take it out of my DVD player, the temptation of doing nearly nothing for a few weeks, snowboarding and Whitefish.... the list really does go on. But in the end, it's sheer procrastination. Boourns.
Therefore, I propose a new reading list for the summer. A better, well thought out reading list. It will contain books I will read for guilty pleasure, to challenge my intellect, and/or because I thought the title or front page were fantastic. Given the last criterion, I should add Vampirates to the roster, but I may have trouble tracking it down, the tweens will be all over it for a good summer read. I may be forced to replace it with the Twilight-mockery series. Tempting, so tempting. Seriously, they look good (fulfilling the first criterion).
Without further ado and babbling, my first reading list:
1. Finish The Picture of Dorian Gray. Seriously, it is becoming my Everest, bigger than Guns, Germs and Steel
2. A Swiftly Turning Planet ( a book in Madeleine L'Engle's series, like A Wrinkle in Time)
3. Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
4. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut
5. The Wayfinders - Wade Davis (part of the Massey Lectures series. A Race Against Time was an assigned book for a class last year, and I absolutely loved it. The way it is written, oh! It is as if you are in a lecture hall listening to the most captivating speech you have ever heard. I highly recommend it, although I give you fair warning that it may slightly depress you. Nonetheless, amazing.)
6. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
7. Gods Behaving Badly - Marie Phillips
I will stop there. Odd numbers are the best to end a list. As is the number 7. It is not too high like 9 or 10 (which is even, so clearly out of the picture all together, despite the attraction most feel towards lists being this length) nor is it too simple and well-planned like 5 seems (considering 10 is too large and even, many people find it makes sense to half 10 to 5, but it seems all-too-convenient so I am not a fan of 5-itemed lists).
On a side note, the neighbor's cat, (Sam) has decided to take a liking to the Condo. It has made two recent treks through the open door and up the stairs, peeking around the corner to jingle his bell and give a quick 'hello' before jaunting off to scratch himself on the sidewalk. This new step in our relationship pleases me.
Therefore, I propose a new reading list for the summer. A better, well thought out reading list. It will contain books I will read for guilty pleasure, to challenge my intellect, and/or because I thought the title or front page were fantastic. Given the last criterion, I should add Vampirates to the roster, but I may have trouble tracking it down, the tweens will be all over it for a good summer read. I may be forced to replace it with the Twilight-mockery series. Tempting, so tempting. Seriously, they look good (fulfilling the first criterion).
Without further ado and babbling, my first reading list:
1. Finish The Picture of Dorian Gray. Seriously, it is becoming my Everest, bigger than Guns, Germs and Steel
2. A Swiftly Turning Planet ( a book in Madeleine L'Engle's series, like A Wrinkle in Time)
3. Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
4. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut
5. The Wayfinders - Wade Davis (part of the Massey Lectures series. A Race Against Time was an assigned book for a class last year, and I absolutely loved it. The way it is written, oh! It is as if you are in a lecture hall listening to the most captivating speech you have ever heard. I highly recommend it, although I give you fair warning that it may slightly depress you. Nonetheless, amazing.)
6. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
7. Gods Behaving Badly - Marie Phillips
I will stop there. Odd numbers are the best to end a list. As is the number 7. It is not too high like 9 or 10 (which is even, so clearly out of the picture all together, despite the attraction most feel towards lists being this length) nor is it too simple and well-planned like 5 seems (considering 10 is too large and even, many people find it makes sense to half 10 to 5, but it seems all-too-convenient so I am not a fan of 5-itemed lists).
On a side note, the neighbor's cat, (Sam) has decided to take a liking to the Condo. It has made two recent treks through the open door and up the stairs, peeking around the corner to jingle his bell and give a quick 'hello' before jaunting off to scratch himself on the sidewalk. This new step in our relationship pleases me.
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