A Wordsmith

There was a young girl, looked after the drink.
Put it outside, to keep it "in the pink"
In a cardboard tote
"Don't touch" said the note
Who knew, the bomb squad would make such a stink!
-By C. Sweeton

Now this is not me, my mom's first name also starts with a 'C' and it is her poem to me. She is definitely where I get my writing skills from, but poetry is not her strong suit. I don't even know what she is referring to when she says 'in the pink' and it might just be used to rhyme with ‘drink,’ besides that though this poem is much better than her last attempt. I shouldn’t judge, I’m not good writing poetry either. I do know that writing poetry takes a long time, and I'm thankful and happy that she made the effort for me on Valentines Day, as it was sent to me yesterday. I love you Mom!! The poem is in reference to an incident at work that happened to me earlier this week. I don't want to get into details, but basically I put some drinks in a box outside to keep them cold, the bomb squad was called, and I got into more than a little bit of trouble. Not my finest moment, I'm still a little embarrassed about it.

Nothing To Prove

I make a bad first impression. I have been told this by friends and enemy’s alike. It takes awhile to get used to me, to figure me out, and then to ultimately (hopefully) like me. It is particularly noticeable at new jobs. I think I have finally figured it out: My first day on a new job I’m out to show everyone how great I am. I feel I have to prove that I was the right choice for the job. I’m overly assertive and confident. I rush around showing what I can do. “Oh, I know how to use a debit machine” or “I can fill out Travel Forms, I was trained at my last job.” No one likes that type of person. It goes away, eventually I just don’t care. I work hard, I do my job, I hope that I do it well enough to stay. Pretty much by the second day I no longer feel that I have to prove myself, but the damage is usually already done. I need to learn from this. I need to remember keep my quiet confidence and ‘nothing to prove’ attitude whether it is my first day on the job or fifth year.

A Newfie Word

Jerrica doesn’t really have a Newfie accent. Every now and then she does use strange words. She used the word 'contrary' last night in a way that I would almost call slang, but it wasn't quite. I gather in Newfoundland, it is used often to mean 'cranky' or 'upset'. If a child is misbehaving they are 'being contrary' but it can be used with adults as well. Jerrica says that isn't a mean word when they use it, it is used like 'crabby'. This use isn't that far a stretch from some of its official definitions, which state that 'contrary' can mean stubborn, headstrong, or hostile.

Media Magnet

I was recently surprised to find out that Anna went to Boston to help the Hilary Clinton campaign before this past week's 'Super Tuesday' primary. She spent last weekend in Boston doing this. In terms of American politics, I don't really care who gets in, as long as it is a Democrat, though I do love Hilary. My reasons are not the greatest, I like that; she is a women, she has a lot of political experience, she is married to Bill Clinton, and that she advocated for a better more socialized American health care plan for many years. Anna actually got to meet her (See Photo.) The entire weekend must have been amazing. To quote Anna, "It was pretty cool, the experience itself was awesome." And her little group got a bit famous too!! They were all over the Canadian press; Global, CTV (Canada AM), CBC Radio, Canadian Press/Toronto Star, The Sun, The Citizen, obviously Carleton and couple American papers interviewed them as well. You can see the Global National coverage here (Anna talks on the phone and is in the background a lot).

Beavertail Cheating

I had my first Beavertail of the season this afternoon. I think I cheated though, because I had it on the canal, but wasn't skating. I was walking home from work, and instead of walking up the stairs across the bridge over the canal and then back down the stairs, I cut across the ice as the canal was open for skating. Not only was I not skating, but I was also lazily shortening my route home. They are getting really expensive though and I don't know how many more I will have this winter, $3.75 for the basic one. I love them, so tasty, and even the name sounds patriotic.

Best Cross-Over Ever

I think last night was host to the greatest TV show cross-over this century has ever seen. Normally I'm not a fan. I was annoyed with CSI on Without A Trace as well as Ally McBeal on The Practice. I prefer when they are subtle, like Mad About You's brief appearance on Friends, when they are more cameo in nature. But, over the past few weeks, a debate started through late night comedy talk shows, on who 'Made Mike Hukabee.' Both Conan O'Brien and Stephen Colbert insisted that they gave this US Presidential hopeful the success he needed by having him on their respective shows. Conan insisted then, that by showing a clip of Colbert, he in fact made Colbert the success he is. Jon Stewart got involved by showing an ancient clip of Conan being interviewed, thus Stewart claims he made Conan. The chain was Stewart made Conan, who made Colbert, who made Hukabee. The insanity continued on Friday when Conan stated, and showed a picture, that he delivered Stewart and Colbert when they were babies, and if either of them brought it up again he would kick their ass. Well last night, the three comedians met up, on each of their respective shows, ending in a hilarious brawl on the Conan O'Brien show. It can all be see on YouTube if you search "conan o'brien stewart colbert". Well worth a watch!!

Book Crossing

I woke up Saturday with nothing to do. I lay in bed for an hour or so before I started to get a little board. Then I remembered I had gotten a book for Christmas. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, the British author who also writes the Shopaholic series. I started reading it around 11:30. 4 hours and 404 pages later I finish it, finding myself still in my bed in pj's, and it felt like only moments had past. I was planning donating it to the library, as I don't like to own very many books. (The book must be truly special for me to want to own a copy.) Then a woman at work told me about Book Crossing It is an amazing idea. You register a book and then "release" it into the world, hoping others will "catch" it. Then the book gets tracked and travels all over the world. I can't wait to leave mine in the cafeteria at work tomorrow.

Movies

My Favourite Movies, in order, are:
1- A League Of Their Own
2- The Fifth Element
3- Aladdin
4- Labyrinth
5- Wag The Dog
6- 10 Things I Hate About You
I know that six is a strange number to have. I love many more in the Fantasy genre (Willow, Princess Bride.) The original three Star Wars always deserves a mention. Also not many comedies are listed though I love them too (Men In Tights, Wet Hot American Summer, Super Troopers). But those six are truely my favourites, and have been for a very very long time.