Quote Of The Day

*While playing with a pine cone.* 

"She loves me, 

She loves me not, 

She loves me, 

She loves me not." 

*Throws pine cone on the road.* 

"Of course she loves me, I'm hot! 

If she didn't love me she would be stupid!"

- M. Jamieson, June 29, 2007

Anna's Back!!

She is back from the streets of Paris and living in Le Manoir again. I missed having her as a roommate so much and so glad she has returned.

My Work Computer

The only thing that is blocked on the Internet from my work computer is outside e-mail engines so I can't access
-Yahoo Mail
They should block many other sites, but for some reason don't, or haven't yet, so I can visit
-Facebook
-My Blog
-Cute Overload
-Pop Cap Games
-Neopets
I'm going to avoid these, though may put up the occasional blog post while at work.

The Charlatan

The Charlatan has been publishing at Carleton for more than 60 years. The first issue was published on Nov. 28, 1945 under the name The Carleton. In the 1970s the name was changed to represent a more edgy newspaper the editors sought to shape.

Kristen is now part of this prestigious legacy, as she will fill the job of Productions Editor this year. This is an amazing opportunity, as her major is Journalism and this is 100% in her field. She started last month, as they publish once a month in the summer and every week during the school year.

I'm currently hanging out in The Charlatan's office on campus posing for photos. giving my opinion on this months cover, and helping to write ad copy. Great fun!

Back To The Office

I'm heading out for my first day of work at the new job. I have no idea what it is going to be like. I hope the contract gets extended (as of right now I'm working until July 4th.) I'm excited, I love office work.

Everything Has Its Time

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Cartouche World

Since first year, I have had my cards read by either Em or her mother. I tend to get my World done every 6 months, though a couple times I got it done in January for the full year. Cartouche cards are similar to Tarot Cards, though are Egyptian based, more positive, and a smaller deck.

When reading them, there are two types of set ups, a smaller one called a Star or the World. The World is done for a specific amount of time and should not be done again until that time period is over. A Star is the cards response to a question asked, and can be done as often as you like.

Em did my World yesterday, for the first time since I usually get her mom to do it for me. She just bought her own deck, I would love to get one too but I'm still hesitant to spend money. She did my World for 6 months, basically the rest of 2007, and it looks pretty positive. The only iffy area was Love/Relationships, in which I got the worst possible card, but I'm hoping that just means it will take a little longer until I'm in love or a relationship, apposed to meaning I'm going to get my heart broken. As usual, I get this card all the time, in the centre of the World (the overview position) was the Crook and Flail, which basically means self-discipline.

Can't Wait For Metal

EVERYONE

Mark your calenders for the Ottawa Show

-July 13th-

I'm so excited!

It is Little Brother Mike's Band

(Our Lady Of Bloodshed)

Money, Finally

After a frantic call to my parents this morning to borrow $50 so I could pay to fill a prescription, I come home from work this evening to find my tax return. It was also a couple hundred more that I was expecting. Now I feel like I'm "In The Money" and want to buy some things I have been eyeing and wanting lately:
-$45-Bandeau Dress by American Apparel
-$80-Alcohol to make Swedish Berry Martinis at home
-$15-Flip Flops
-$60-Bathing suit
-$150-An night out with friends at Eighteen
I probably will just end up putting 95% of it against my loan and spending the rest on cabs and food, my two stupid money weaknesses.

The Truth

To be honest is so important, a virtue I hold above all others.

"Lying is always easier, 

that is why the truth is so valuable, 

because it is harder to say."

 - M. Sweeton, 2007

Interrupted Motivation

I woke up earlier than I planned so figured I should do something. Instead of playing on the computer, which I really wanted to do, I decided to go out and mow the lawn. It has been looking like we are trying to grow hay. I got going on it and it immediately started to rain. I plowed through since it was a light rain and got half of it done. It started to really pour and since it is an electric mower, I thought it best to stop. It isn't even the half nearest to the door so it barely feels like I did anything.

The Bittersweet Tale of My Heart

My heart is sleeping on a silken pillow, waiting for its prince
My heart is at the base of a beanstalk, wishing for a challenge
My heart is a poisoned apple, given by a witch
My heart is an ugly duckling turning to a swan

My heart is a monster hiding in a labyrinth
My heart is a piece of gingerbread, luring the innocents
My heart is a glass slipper looking for its match
My heart is filled with sickness and sin, a box to be opened
My heart is pacing a tower, letting down its hair
My heart is spinning gold, tripping up on names
My heart is safe from danger, hidden behind the brick
My heart is a beautiful song, to lure you to the rocks
My heart is slow but steady and going to win the race
My heart is a broken piece of glass sitting in an eye
My heart is lying on the streets, lighting its last match
My heart is a dying rose in search of love
My heart is waiting for its happy ending

-C. Sweeton, 2001

The Greatest Guy

To the one I measure all guys to

To the one who taught me how to thrive socially

To the one I wish I saw way more often

To the one who has seen me through my worst

To the one that still loves me after all of it

To the one I want to spend more time with

To the one guy I love beyond all others

(Though Little Brother Mike is up there too)

To the one who helped give me the greatest childhood

To the one that still supports me in everyway

To the greatest guy

My Dad

I love you Daddy, Happy Fathers Day

Land Beaver

I biked past two groundhogs today on my way back from campus along the river. Only one ran away. They are really so cute, and everywhere along the canal, river, and campus. I think of them as Land Beavers, without the tail. I think that the tail though is what truly makes the Beaver. Maybe I should just think of groundhogs as groundhogs and stop trying to tie them to our national animal.

Excited For An Exam?

I have my last exam of the school year in just over an hour and a half. (I deferred it.) I'm really excited to go and write it. I don't really know why I'm so hyped up about it. Mind you I have always loved writing tests, and don't get exam stress or anything. I think it maybe because I love the material so much, and as I'm studying about it, I'm still interested in learning it. It makes me want to possibly tutor on past courses to keep up with literature I have finished studying. I don't feel super prepared for it, I feel I know the material and could do really well, but also that questions could trip me up, I might not be fully prepared, and I don't know enough. I might be excited because writing this means an end to the year. A clean cut away from a semester that was very challenging. Either way I'm looking forward to it and hope I do well.

Everytime

Each and every time I watch my favorite movie, A League of Their Own, I cry at the end. I always think that I won't, that I will have watched it so many times now it won't effect me, but I still cry. It isn't even sad, just very emotional. I don't even like baseball!! Tonight I watched it for the first time in a really long time and just bawled, there were actual sobs. It is such a good movie, still my favorite for sure.

Construction and Trades

It is summer in Canada, and that it means home owners and municipalities will be frantically trying to get construction in before the winter. My neighbourhood is filled with construction and renovation. New telephone poles are being put up everywhere, though it seems weird since the old ones are fine. Roads are getting fixed, houses are being renovated and landscapers are working on the gardens. I think the sheer amount of it all is beyond the usual summer construction boom, it maybe because I live in a more wealthy area. A corner house on my bike to work is putting in a side patio and fencing it in. I think the fencing material they are using must be ceder because when ever I ride past it smells so amazing, and the two guys working on it are pretty hot too.

B.Sc

Amorina Ami Kingdon
High Honours Bachelor of Science
Biology at Carleton University
Convocation Today
CONGRATULATIONS!!

Baby Pillow

I take it every time I'm staying overnight somewhere. Mind you I forgot it when I went to Paris. I just came back from a weekend at Steph's and of course had it with me. The mattress from an old doll crib it is the perfect size to go under my neck while I sleep. It has been recovered by a tailor once and lost quite a few times. I tend to push it into my face and nose, "Face!"

Literary Term Of The Day

Zeugma - a single word (usually a verb) made to refer to two or more words in a sentence, use of a word to govern two or more words though appropriate to only one. "She lost her heart and necklace at the dance." or "He took his hat and his leave."

Oxford Entrance Interview Questions

-What is your opinion on spontaneous human combustion?
-Why don't we just have one ear in the middle of our face?
-Are you your body?
-What is the % of the worlds water contained in a cow?
-What are 3 things you would send to tribes people to explain what it means to be French?
-Was Russia just too big for democracy?
-If one of Buddha's teachings is unattachment, why is China, which is largely Buddhists, so materialistic?
-If you were a rat, what would be the most important thing to you?
-How comfortable is that chair?
-If there are three beautiful naked women in front of you, which do you choose?
-What is wrong with the sentence "Here comes Bob"?
-How does a perm work?
-What is a tree?
-How would you design a better brain?
-Is it possible for a society to exist where people lie all the time?
-What would make anyone settle in a place like Iceland?
-Why do archaeologists love pots so much?
-How would you design an experiment to disprove the existence of God?
-How would you describe Naomi Campbell's life?
-Was Hitler evil?
-Are you cool?

Warm and Sunny

It is days like today that make me want to be at my cottage so bad it hurts. A light breeze, bright blue sky with little white clouds, deliriously warm. I need to be on sand, or lying in one of the hammocks snoozing, maybe swimming or sailing. I want my skin to darken and my hair to turn copper. I need to be outside by the water, warm and relaxed by the waves. Instead I have to either watch lectures on the TV or type up notes on the computer. Everything right now is inside, even working out, I do Yoga in air conditioning, stretching and connecting to the earth through the carpet. I work under florescent lights, the only task that allows me to feel the sun on my face is taking out the garbage or cleaning the front tables. I know it doesn't have to be like that (well it does for the studying) and that Ottawa offers warmth, sun, and beauty outside. I'm going to have to spend sometime at one of the city beach's, bike along the canal, suntan on the roof, or hang out on my green lawn and look at all my flowers that are now blooming. Still it isn't the same as Long Point.

New Readership

I'm trying to bump up the number of people who read this. Manly because the more who read the more who may leave comments, and I live for the comments. Though the writing is enjoyable as well. I have been trying to get My Shirtless Co-Worker to start reading, as well as, Little Brother Mike, both attempts seem to be failing. Little Brother Mike is actually looking at buying a house with his girlfriend, this scares me beyond words. At 19 he will probably soon own property, he is about to put his third or fourth offer out there. They are looking at 3 bedroom homes in Brantford. My goodness, makes me feel like even more of a failure, he is 3 years younger than me but soon may have a mortgage and be a landlord. I miss him so much. He really is growing up way too fast, I still sometimes tell people that he is 8.

One Year!

I started this blog exactly a year ago today! I have never kept up writing anything like this. My dairies always faded away, I even slacked at the journals you had to keep for school classes. But I have been writing for a year on Always Standing now and really proud of myself. Not every day but most days, and some days more than one post. So Happy Birthday Blog!

Sadness Comes In May

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers -

Two of my closest friends suffered through a hard loss of a family pet last month. Steph's family's Yorkie, Eddy, had kidney failure a couple weeks ago, and passed away at the end of May. Steph was able to go home for the last few days of his life but the loss has been really difficult for the entire family. He was an adorably, spunky, little dog, who was a jumping, twirling support system for Steph's mother as she battled cancer last year. Her parents are now left with a completely empty house. Eddy's ashes have now been returned to the family and they are in the process of sorting through photographs of him to frame. He was awesome little dog. I look forward to seeing the pictures of Eddy around the house next time I visit.

Also, near the beginning of May, while I was in France, Anna's large, white, and beautiful Standard Poodle, Abigail, passed away from liver failure. This was extremely difficult for Anna, as it was her own pet and she was in Paris, unable to be with her family. At the end of the summer both Anna's family in Halifax, and Anna here in Ottawa will be getting sibling puppies from the same breeder. I'm sure Anna and The Boy Roommate's first pet, coming in September, will be just as sweet natured and good as Abigail was and her families other dog, Charlie is. I'm very excited to see the young couple have the puppy that they have been wanting and planning for.

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." -M. Facklam -

Subway PDA's

I don't know why people think Public Displays Of Affection (PDA) are OK. I admit there is the time and the place; romantic restaurant, dance floor at a club, your wedding, a concert, but not, I repeat NOT, while placing a sub order at Subway. It may seem like I'm behind a big counter filled with vegetables, but I'm not that far away, only a foot and a half really. So please no tongue, don't grope, fondle, stroke, repeatedly kiss, or generally make out infront of me while I'm trying to make your sandwich. Somethings are cool; go ahead and give him a quick peck on the cheek, put your arm around her, lean back against him, but keep it clean and pleasant please. Subway is a PDA free zone!

Em's Alive

Em is tree planting in Northern Ontario for the start of the summer. I was a little worried about her, especially since I hadn't heard anything from her after she left at the start of May. I just got a quick (and none descriptive) msn message from her that said she was saying "Hi". So she is alive, and I hope doing well.

Goodish Morning

I went to a job interview at another Temp Agency today, it went really well. They seem to think I had a lot of skills and could be placed quickly. I feel great about it, so it is definitely bringing me out of the sadness and frustration I have been feeling for the past week. Mind you I stepped in what I think is gum at some point and now the heel on one of my pretty flats is gross, as is the bottom of my pants. You can't just wash gum away, which I'm temped to try, throw the pants in the washing machine and see what happens, no, bad idea. I guess I will have to pick it off, which is totally sick.

Toilet Humour

If Women Controlled The World.

I took this from an e-mail sent by James' mom. This is so true as I now share a bathroom with two male roommates, who somehow seem to always leave the seat up and use all the toilet paper, which makes no sense cause..... well never mind.

Sens Mile

I wanted to catch the Sens fever (even though I'm a Leafs Fan and cheering for The Ducks in this playoff series). Tonight was my only night off from work, so I headed down to Elgin Street to see what it was all about. I was hoping for something along the lines of this picture, but it wasn't even close. The street was rainy and quiet, only a few of the bars were full, and well the Sens lost so everyone just went home afterwards. Ami and I ate sushi and watch hockey, it was a good combo, too bad it wasn't a huge party though.

Found It

Item Lost: Nail Clippers
Time Lost: Over a month ago
Last Place I Remember: Living Room
Place Found: On top of the toaster oven....

Pure Country

There is something really interesting about country songs, and if you listen to them long enough you can really start to love them. The Cool Boss turned me onto this Carrie Underwood single:

Before He Cheats

Right now he's probably slow dancing with a bleach blonde tramp,

and she's probably getting frisky...

Right now,

he's probably buying her some fruity little drink

cause she can't shoot whiskey...

Right now,

he's probably up behind her with a pool-stick,

showing her how to shoot a combo...

And he don't know...

That I dug my key into the side

of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive,

carved my name into his leather seats...

I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights,

slashed a hole in all 4 tires...

Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.

Right now,

she's probably up singing some white-trash version of Shania karaoke..

Right now,

she's probably saying "I'm drunk"

and he's a thinking that he's gonna get lucky,

Right now,

he's probably dabbing on 3 dollars worth of that bathroom polo...

And he don't know...

That I dug my key into the side

of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive,

carved my name into his leather seats,

I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights,

slashed a hole in all 4 tires...

Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.

I might've saved a little trouble for the next girl,

Cause the next time that he cheats...

Oh, you know it won't be on me!

Ohh... not on me...

Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.

-Written by Chris Tompkins & Josh Kear-

Subway Secret

A well kept Subway Secret is how amazing our Oatmeal Cookies are. They are seriously the best things we make; sweet, chewy, amazing, with soft raisins and cinnamon. Everyone loves them who works there but customers don't buy them as much as the other kinds. Next time your in, get one for sure, you will not regret it.

Discworld Thoughts

I'm starting to read books in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, starting with Interesting Times. I'm really loving it so far. I find him hilarious, the books are comedic fantasy which are often really satirical. I have read a slightly more serious novel written by him and Neil Gaiman called Good Omens which was amazing. An interesting quote from Interesting Times "it can either know what it is or where it is going, but not both" made me think about my life. I know neither!

Time Crunch

My deferred exam is two weeks earlier than I thought. I don't think I'm screwed because of this, just slightly inconvenienced. I will have to take a lighter work schedule (the week after next) to allow for studying. I have 9 lectures to watch on DVD, which means I need to start watching one a day. So much for a social life.