This Is Why

Tonight is The Grammys, which I enjoy. (I'm really not too big on awards shows but I quite like The Oscars and The Grammys.) However, we don't have cable and being in a basement apartment bunny-ears do nothing. Award Shows are nice to watch as they are happening, not something I would ever want to watch after the fact. (Except if something super exciting happens, then I will look up the clip on YouTube.) Jerrica however was able to find live streaming so is watching it and I get to hear the music in my room and get updates from her. Between the occasional live streaming, Lindsay's downloading, DVDs, broadband websites (both legit and no-so-legit), and YouTube we really don't need our TV to have cable!

But She Likes It

I force Jerrica to watch movies, movies that she clearly has no interest in seeing and I can tell she is only begrudgingly agreeing to watch them, but then, almost always, she likes them. Sometimes she doesn't like them. Most of the time she says, "Wow, that really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Actually it was pretty good, I enjoyed it." Sometimes she ends up loving it so much that it adds into her repertoire of frequently watched and loved movies. To get her to watch them though is a struggle, I often have to repeatedly ask, suggest, and eventually just force it on her. I'm having a bit of a hard time coming up with the full list, since it is really quite extensive. Here are the ones I can remember that she ended up liking (in some cases absolutely loving):
-The Rock
-High School Musical (Loves)
-Much Ado About Nothing
-Shakespeare in Love
-Waiting... (Loves)
-The Fifth Element
-Wet Hot American Summer (Loves)
-The Producers
-Hackers
-The Saint

Bad Bad Art Joke

JennB sent this to me as a forward, blame her....

A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre. After careful planning, he got past security, stole the paintings, and made it safely to his van. However, he was captured only two blocks away when his van ran out of gas. When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied, "Monsieur, dat is de reason I stole de paintings. I had no Monet, to buy Degas, to make de Van Gogh." See if you have De Gaulle to tell this to someone else. I posted it because I figured I had nothing Toulouse.

Lives Up To The Hype!

Avatar

I just got back from seeing this in the theatre and it was an overwhelming, amazing, and intense experience. Everyone has been talking about it, most raving about it being unbelievably good. I was wondering if it really could live up to all the hype. If you haven't seen it yet, and JennB's brother told her she was the last person left to see it, then you must go. I don't care what excuse you have for not going, and I have heard a number of them, it really is incredible. It also, in some aspects, is very very bad. So don't go expecting a flawless movie by any stretch. However, the world is mind blowingly beautiful and the 3D technology is insanely impressive. JennB and I saw it in Imax 3D which was awesome, though I'm sure the Imax isn't necessary, but the 3D part is. Despite its glaring faults this movie really is a milestone in cinema which I will remember forever.

The Drug Library

Ottawa Erin and I met up for lunch today and somehow got into a discussion about Pharmaceutical Patents....
Erin: So the length of a drug patent is moving up from 7 years to 20, which totally sucks.
Note: While the 20 years part is true, from my brief research I believe this actually happened in the early 2000's.
Me: Huh?
Erin: It means that it takes even longer for the generic drug to be made.
Me: Oh, so drugs will be harder to get and more expensive?
Erin: Yes, which is bad. I understand the whole encourage science, incentive for innovation thing, blah blah blah, but these are people's lives here.
Me: Well, I don't know about patents and inventions but I know that copyright lasts for the author's life and then 70 years.
Note: That is actually for the USA, I got confused. In Canada it is the author's life and then 50 years.
Erin: If you don't get to read a book that they wrote it isn't as big a deal. If you have to wait for drugs you could die.
Me: And you can go to the library, I guess there isn't a drug library.
Erin: Well there is, it's called an alley.

Haiti

The fact that Haiti had a devastating earthquake on January 12th should be news to no one. I usually don't keep up with current events as it is, but with something this awful I have been avoiding news of all mediums even more. However, I was given the task at work to write about it and am in the middle of writing my second article on the subject. This has meant that not only do I have to pay attention to information about this horrible disaster but I had to catch up on all the past news.

This is the part that really touched me. I'm very proud to be Canadian:

On January 14, the Government of Canada announced the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund program of up to $50 million. The government will match eligible donations made by individual Canadians to registered charitable organizations between January 12 and February 12, 2010. With an overwhelming response Canadians started and continue to donate to help with relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Haiti, so much so that they quickly surpassed $50 million. 

The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced on January 23, 2010 that the Government of Canada is expanding its matching fund for Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund to include all eligible donations above and beyond the original $50 million ceiling. "The extraordinary response of Canadians in the tragic aftermath of the Haiti earthquake has once again demonstrated their compassion and generosity," said Minister Oda. "The enormity of the devastation is unimaginable and donations have already exceeded $67 million. We will keep matching individual donations dollar for dollar."

Russian Spam

Every now and then Always Standing gets a spam comment. It contains a link in it that leads to some site or another, and often the text doesn't make a lot of sense. The really bother my mom, however they don't really bug me. They are fairly infrequent, so when they show up I just go and delete them. (I don't want to put in the safety features to prevent them happening because I love comments and don't want anything to hold back people from writing something.) With the e-mail notification I always find out about them, even if they are posted on a very old post. So far mine have all been English, often bad English but English just the same. Steph was getting tons of spam, with Asian characters of some sort, so much actually that she had to close commenting for some of her posts. Today I got my first foreign one and it was Russian! I went and got the text translated on Babel Fish to double check. It is deleted now, but I was pretty excited to get it.

Curves

I'm going for my third Curves workout tonight. I'm feeling pretty good about the whole thing. I don't love it like I love running and finishing a 30 minute workout there does not feel as awesome as finishing a 30 minute run. I think I just need to push my cardio more while at Curves. After a few more times I get switched onto a more structured program that will monitor how hard I'm working on the machines and keep me in my optimal range. I'm excited for that to start. I get remeasured in a few more weeks but I don't really care much about my progress like that, I still eat pretty terribly. I do feel like it is giving me some more energy and I can feel that it is helping ward off the depression to a certain extent. I love how close it is to work, going there on the way home is the easiest thing imaginable. It is also a very even workout, I feel that I'm truly exercising every muscle area and in a good way. It is strange since I'm used to much more uneven exercise. The next morning I'm a tad sore, all over. However, tomorrow is Saturday and I get to sleep in!!!

Awesome

I like websites that make you feel good but they always need a little bit of edge since I'm cheesy but don't go in for the sap. (Cuteoverload, see Links on right, is a good example.) I forget how I ran across this website, I think maybe Anne told me about it, but 1000 Awesome Things is truly awesome, I hope at somepoint it ends up on its own list. I believe a book based on the site is coming out soon. So many of the sites I love end up as books, I think it is because I am attracted to smart, funny writers as are publishers. Check it out!

R.I.P. Megatron

Megatron

By Stephanie Beach

A well loved lizard, Megatron the Bearded Dragon has passed on. He was found lifeless in his residence on the evening of January 19th and was pronounced dead by Dave. He leaves behind a loving but absent father, Little Brother Mike, and two proud stepparents, myself and Jerrica. Born Metatron, after 'the voice of God' and part of Norse mythology. Named later in life as Megatron, after the character in Transformers. Known to many as simply - Mega. Rest in peace little beardy, may there be many worms in lizard heaven.

Caving To The Corporation

Today I bought a Chapters iRewards Card. I am not impressed. I resisted this for so long, I never buy cards for rewards programs. (Airmiles is free, and even with that I have been too lazy to get my own so still use my parents to help them out.) I also am not a big Chapters person, since I don't really like owning books. I almost always sold back the ones I had to get for school and in general I use the library. I love libraries!! However, over the last few months, with Christmas, getting myself travel books, etc., I have spent a fortune at Chapters buying books and such. It was time, I hate to admit it, but I really do shop at Chapters enough to justify it. It is normally $25, but there was $10 off my purchase today if I got it, so basically it was $15. I hope it pays for itself over the next year.

Under Review

I have spent the last two months applying to the two graduate studies programs in Toronto that I am interested in. It hasn't been a super stressful process but where some rocky moments. Especially lately as I worry that my applications were not received or were incomplete. I can now stop my frantic checking since both universities have now e-mailed me to let me know that they have everything.

Ryerson University
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Ryerson University. Please note, by way of this acknowledgment letter, that we are now in receipt of your complete application to the School of Graduate Studies for the academic term commencing September 2010 for the following program: *Literatures of Modernity -- Master of Arts, Full-time* All of your documents have been received. Your application will be reviewed and once an admission decision has been reached you will be notified.

University of Toronto
This notice is being sent to inform you that your application to 'MA-English' is now under review and pending a decision.

A New Life

I start my "new" job tomorrow. Basically it is the same one I have had for over a year now but full-time hours and slightly more responsibility. I intend to start off a good foot. I have already set out my clothes and am wearing a nice outfit. I intend to show up good and early. Hopefully I can keep that pattern up. I also have my first workout at Curves tomorrow, so hopefully that will become a regular and positive thing.

Taking Down The Tree

I helped my mom take down our Christmas tree. I'm so glad that I got to, since I haven't been around to put it up for the last few years and it was nice to see all the ornaments one by one again. After we were done I looked around and noticed that there were bits of the tree everywhere. At this point my mom said, "Yes, I am the only person I know who has an artificial tree that sheds." This is because our very ugly, very old plastic Christmas tree is falling apart more each year. Don't get me wrong, I love the thing and as far as I can remember we have always had it. My parents got it before I was born, or at least when I was very young. It was free, because it was broken even then.

Kicked Out

My parents are in the process of selling the house I grew up in. (It is sad, but I have come to terms with it.) It is very strange to live in a house that is on the market. The first thing is that they redecorated a lot of it so that it is very bland. Everything is also very sparse in terms of furniture and pictures on the walls. It has to be kept perfectly clean, all the surfaces are cleared of everything so there is absolutely no clutter. Tonight there is a showing, so while my parents are at work I have been tidying away any reference of my being here and helping them out by vacuuming a bit. When the people go through, we have to be out of the house. Which would suck on a regular bases and be very disruptive but it great for me because it means that Mom and I are going to go out for dinner.

Morning On The Bus

I decided to take an early bus to travel home since my parents had plans this evening and needed to pick me up before 5:30. The 9:30am bus which I was planning to take got into Brantford at 6pm, so I opted for the 7:00am bus instead.

Here is what it was like:
5:00-5:30--Alarm goes off, repeatedly, due to lots of snooze button pressing. (Sounds like a rooster since I prefer that to waking with the radio.)
5:30-6:00--Wander around, eyes practically glued shut with sleep. (Even though I had only slept for about 3 hours.) Packed backpack, brushed teeth, etc.
6:00-6:30--Road #7 OC Transpo bus to the Greyhound terminal, was the only one on it for quite a ways.
6:30-7:00--Bought Greyhound ticket, waited for bus.
7:00-11:00--On bus, passed right out. (Complete with waking up to a crick in my neck and a bit of drool on my shoulder.)
11:00-12:00--Nice drive into Toronto from Ajax through Scarborough. (Bit of traffic on the Don Valley Parkway.) I really find TO's architecture and general vibe very exciting.
12:00-1:00--Hung out at the Toronto Greyhound terminal. Read. Talked a bit to my dad on the payphone. (His work has a 1-800 number.)
1:00-3:00--Took the local Greyhound bus from Toronto to Brantford, going through Hamilton. Wasn't able to sleep. Boringist drive ever! Hamilton is not a pretty or exciting city.
3:00--Mom picked me up. I'm glad to be back down here, I think it is going to be a very pleasent and relaxing time at home/cottage.

Ice Skating

Last night, Jer, Linds, and I went skating for the first time this year. The canal isn't open yet so we went to Brewer Park and didn't stay out very long. I realised that my skates very very very much needed sharpening again this year. I always forget that you have to do it every year because I don't get my snowboard done every year and it is fine. Today I took Jer and mine skates into the Home Hardware in the Glebe (for those of you in Ottawa) and it was only $5 for a pair, which is really good. Last year I had to get it done in New York City and it was something crazy like $20 US. The year before I had got it done at Carleton's Ice House and I think it was $15, so Glebe Hardware is a good deal!

Now I have the Ice Skating Song in my head....Ice skating is nice skating, but here's some advice about ice skating, never skate where the ice is thin, thin ice can crack and you'll fall right in, and come out with icicles under your chin, if you skate where the ice is thin....I don't really know where that song is from. Maybe it is from Girl Guides or school when I was little, I can't really remember.

Good Quote

I have travelled a lot, and when I travel I tend to visit old churches. I have definitely seen my fair share of old churches in not only Europe but also my own continent. I ran across this quote in a book I'm reading. The character visits the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, I wanted to see it on my trip there last winter but there wasn't time. However the description is true of most large, old, impressive churches:

"And this morning of snow he found it deserted, or seemingly so, and somehow colder than the street. There was a fog here, a cloud, of sound; the tiniest echoes, set moving by any movement, seemed to stir ceaselessly among the columns and across the stone floor."
-- from Spook Country by William Gibson

New Link

Curly Jenn or Jenn From Work has just started a blog. She was chosen, after a year long application process, to be a volunteer at the coming 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She is blogging about it and then hopefully will just continue the blog afterwards. Jenn is a fellow English Major, and I don't know if it is because she graduated from Ottawa U or that it is just Jenn but her writing is incredible, much better than mine. A fellow co-worker, Pat Walton, helped her with her awesome banner, he is a photographer and graphic artist, she talks about it in this post. Jenn's Blog or JBlog: My Journey to the 2010 Winter Olympics is now a link on the right, I'm sure you will enjoy it!!

A Little Lost

The past week has been a bit hectic as I tried to visit with a bunch of friends down in Southern Ontario before returning to Ottawa. I stayed at a bunch of different places, the whole time moving a huge amount of luggage from one place to another; backpack, large purse, suitcase, wheelie suitcase, and a large lululemon bag. I could handle it all myself but barely, pretty much I needed help anytime I was having to move it all. Luckily, for the most part, either my parents, Jeska, Kristen, Teri, or Taylor were around to help me with it, thank goodness. I took that whole load of luggage on alot of different types of transportation between the five different places I have slept over the last seven days including; Jeska's car, Dad's car, Teri's car, Taylor's car, a street car, Via Rail, a cab, two Go Trains, and two Subway rides. You know, the only thing I lost was my new pair of black leather winter gloves, and I think that is impressive. I also think that I just left them somewhere, so will be able to get them later. (They aren't warm enough for Ottawa right now anyway.)

Family Christmas

Here are some shots from the family Christmas, with my mom's side of the family. We tried a new thing this year where we rented a cottage and all met there for a few days. It was so much fun, and the place was gorgeous!!! (Photos by my Uncle Mark)