Click HERE to enlarge.
------ found on Buzzfeed
Friday, 28 February 2014
I Do All These Things
Wondering where all the posts from this past week are? Check out the comic below.
Click HERE to enlarge.
------ found on Buzzfeed
Click HERE to enlarge.
------ found on Buzzfeed
Monday, 24 February 2014
Car Dreams
As I mentioned before, for Christmas, Jason gave me a car racing game for the Xbox One, Forza Motorsport 5. One of the best parts of it is that you get to customize and decorate cars. (I doubt most people who play it would call it decorating though.) Here is the first one I made:
The 'decorating' feature has lots of number, letters, patterns, and logos to add to all different areas of the car, and using them is very very intuitive. This is especially true when I compare it to the things I am learning at the Photoshop Course, as that program is not very intuitive; this makes me appreciate Forza even more. Whenever I win, or buy, a new car in the game I can customize features and the paint job. I have decided that my entire fleet of cars will feature matte black paint jobs and then I will change up the designs and additions. (For example I added the red honeycomb pattern on this.) In real life, I have been admiring the Hyundai Genesis for a while now, it is definitely my favorite 'practical' car at the moment.
My Custom Hyundai Genesis
Photo of the TV, with Jason's phone
The 'decorating' feature has lots of number, letters, patterns, and logos to add to all different areas of the car, and using them is very very intuitive. This is especially true when I compare it to the things I am learning at the Photoshop Course, as that program is not very intuitive; this makes me appreciate Forza even more. Whenever I win, or buy, a new car in the game I can customize features and the paint job. I have decided that my entire fleet of cars will feature matte black paint jobs and then I will change up the designs and additions. (For example I added the red honeycomb pattern on this.) In real life, I have been admiring the Hyundai Genesis for a while now, it is definitely my favorite 'practical' car at the moment.
Sunday, 23 February 2014
How Is This Not A Thing?
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.
So this is another link-related post. Back in 2007, along with some other tips about getting dressed, I explained my dad's Backwards Sock Thing in a post on Always Standing.
As the post mentions, this 'maneuver' was never explicitly explained to me. I just saw my dad do it so often it is ingrained, and I have been using it for so long that I do it mindlessly. In Paris, my parents had a walk-in-closet that was not actually in their room. With my uncle, they renovated what used to be a bar into a separated closet in the office area. The office was between my parents bedroom and their closet; it contained the spare bed, large bookcases, and the computer. I spent a lot of time on the computer. After showering, my dad would come into the office (sometimes also called the spare room) and go get dressed in the big closet. For some reason, his socks were kept back in the bedroom, so after he dressed, he would go and get the socks and then use the spare bed to put them on. He would prop his heel up on the side of the bed, and if the socks were backwards he would use the aforementioned 'maneuver'. I would re-explain what I mean, but how I wrote it out in the original post is probably about as clear as I can get it:
If the sock is right side out, just pull it on obviously. But, if it is inside out, instead of righting it and then pulling it on, use this trick. Dent the bottom a little bit and put the tip of your toe in, then roll it down over your foot and pull it up, it rolls itself out and goes on correctly.
How is this not a thing that everyone does? It is genius, and (for me at least) effortless. It is a bit fun as well, to watch an inside-out sock magically turn right-side out on your foot.
So this is another link-related post. Back in 2007, along with some other tips about getting dressed, I explained my dad's Backwards Sock Thing in a post on Always Standing.
Please see the original post HERE.
As the post mentions, this 'maneuver' was never explicitly explained to me. I just saw my dad do it so often it is ingrained, and I have been using it for so long that I do it mindlessly. In Paris, my parents had a walk-in-closet that was not actually in their room. With my uncle, they renovated what used to be a bar into a separated closet in the office area. The office was between my parents bedroom and their closet; it contained the spare bed, large bookcases, and the computer. I spent a lot of time on the computer. After showering, my dad would come into the office (sometimes also called the spare room) and go get dressed in the big closet. For some reason, his socks were kept back in the bedroom, so after he dressed, he would go and get the socks and then use the spare bed to put them on. He would prop his heel up on the side of the bed, and if the socks were backwards he would use the aforementioned 'maneuver'. I would re-explain what I mean, but how I wrote it out in the original post is probably about as clear as I can get it:
If the sock is right side out, just pull it on obviously. But, if it is inside out, instead of righting it and then pulling it on, use this trick. Dent the bottom a little bit and put the tip of your toe in, then roll it down over your foot and pull it up, it rolls itself out and goes on correctly.
How is this not a thing that everyone does? It is genius, and (for me at least) effortless. It is a bit fun as well, to watch an inside-out sock magically turn right-side out on your foot.
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Go Canada Go
JennD Got A Great Gift
Mid-Week Friend Update - A Wednesday feature that provides a small update on what is happening with the incredible people that I have in my life.
Her name is Brinn, which in Irish means noble defender. It looks like she is a Black Lab but I don't know for sure, Jon may have gotten her from a breeder or adopted her. I do know that she is 11 weeks old, keeping them up all night, and that it was love at first sight. Aren't they the cutest little family!
Jon surprised JennD this Valentine's ... with a puppy!
Jon, JennD, and Brinn
Photo from JennD, possibly a self-portrait
Her name is Brinn, which in Irish means noble defender. It looks like she is a Black Lab but I don't know for sure, Jon may have gotten her from a breeder or adopted her. I do know that she is 11 weeks old, keeping them up all night, and that it was love at first sight. Aren't they the cutest little family!
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
The Beatles
------ image found on Facebook
In 2010, I mentioned that "Come Together" was one of my favorite pieces of music. I wanted to go into more detail about that. In order, these are my top three favorite songs by The Beatles:
1. "Yesterday" - 1965 - Album: Help! - Song
2. "Come Together" - 1969 - Album: Abby Road - Song
3. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - 1963 - Single - Song
(All three were written by Lennon and McCartney, though I always thought that "Come Together" hadn't been and was different in some way, but I guess I was confused.)
In 2010, I mentioned that "Come Together" was one of my favorite pieces of music. I wanted to go into more detail about that. In order, these are my top three favorite songs by The Beatles:
1. "Yesterday" - 1965 - Album: Help! - Song
2. "Come Together" - 1969 - Album: Abby Road - Song
3. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - 1963 - Single - Song
(All three were written by Lennon and McCartney, though I always thought that "Come Together" hadn't been and was different in some way, but I guess I was confused.)
What are your top three songs from The Beatles?
Sunday, 16 February 2014
The Last Comment
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.
I am running out of 'lasts' from my dad to share. I have already posted about the last email that he sent me and the last texts. I went through the posts that I made on Always Standing in the Fall to find the last comment he made. As I have always said, I live for the comments and luckily Dad was good about posting them. So, I don't know about the last thing he read on the blog but I am going to guess he was pretty caught up. However, the last post he commented on was just over a month before he died. In mid-October I did a short series called Results Week that detailed times from the summer Triathlon that I had participated in, with Mom, Teri, Kendra, and Jason. The final post detailed my results.
The next weekend, on Saturday October 26, (in the morning according to the comment posting data) my dad made the following comment (all spacing and spelling is accurate):
It was great to see you " JUST DO IT " and finish.I would have never finished the swim Dad
I love how supportive he always was. It was great to have him around that day on The Island to help and cheer us on. I reviewed the whole week of posts and I don't even know if I mentioned him, let alone thanked him for being there that morning - it meant a lot to me at the time. Still today, the whole Triathlon experience stays with me as a wonderful memory. I love the above comment that he left. It was months after the event since I was slow to write about it. All his comments were great. His honesty was unfaltering, he was open and kind and sweet and funny. I am so sad that he won't be leaving me any more on Always Standing. I will miss his encouragement, I loved when he read what I wrote.
I am running out of 'lasts' from my dad to share. I have already posted about the last email that he sent me and the last texts. I went through the posts that I made on Always Standing in the Fall to find the last comment he made. As I have always said, I live for the comments and luckily Dad was good about posting them. So, I don't know about the last thing he read on the blog but I am going to guess he was pretty caught up. However, the last post he commented on was just over a month before he died. In mid-October I did a short series called Results Week that detailed times from the summer Triathlon that I had participated in, with Mom, Teri, Kendra, and Jason. The final post detailed my results.
Posted on Always Standing on Saturday October 19, 2013.
It was great to see you " JUST DO IT " and finish.I would have never finished the swim Dad
I love how supportive he always was. It was great to have him around that day on The Island to help and cheer us on. I reviewed the whole week of posts and I don't even know if I mentioned him, let alone thanked him for being there that morning - it meant a lot to me at the time. Still today, the whole Triathlon experience stays with me as a wonderful memory. I love the above comment that he left. It was months after the event since I was slow to write about it. All his comments were great. His honesty was unfaltering, he was open and kind and sweet and funny. I am so sad that he won't be leaving me any more on Always Standing. I will miss his encouragement, I loved when he read what I wrote.
Saturday, 15 February 2014
I Have Said These Things
Buzzfeed is an amazing site if you are looking to waste a lot of time on the internet. For the past couple of months I have been borderline addicted. Nicola was the first of my friends to really check the site and she got Kristen going and then it was only a matter of time before I too would be regularly reading their funny lists. Whenever I see a good wedding-related list I forward it onto Teri, and whenever Kristen sees things about cats she forwards them to me. She sent me the following list last week and I thought I would share it today as part of Caturday:
22 Conversations Every Cat Owner Has Had With Their Cat
My favourites:
"Am I allowed to pet you now?"
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"You know, I was reading that."
The cool thing about the list linked to above is that it is a 'community post' which means instead of the staff at Buzzfeed, it was put together by someone who just likes to make lists.
22 Conversations Every Cat Owner Has Had With Their Cat
My favourites:
"Am I allowed to pet you now?"
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"You know, I was reading that."
The cool thing about the list linked to above is that it is a 'community post' which means instead of the staff at Buzzfeed, it was put together by someone who just likes to make lists.
Friday, 14 February 2014
Happy Valentine's Day
------------------ from Facebook
Love says:
I have seen the ugly parts of you
and I am still staying.
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Kristen And I Are In School
Mid-Week Friend Update - A Wednesday feature that provides a small update on what is happening with the incredible people that I have in my life.
After leaving The Word On The Street, Kristen's new job with The Writer's Union of Canada involves a lot of design work. She decided to start taking some related night courses through the Continuing Education program at George Brown College. She is working towards a Graphic Design Certificate. According to the George Brown website, "This certificate provides you with a foundation in design principles as well as training in the main software applications currently used within the industry." When she went to pick her third (of the eight total needed to get the certificate) she decided on a Photoshop course. I love photography and feel like it is probably a good time to upgrade my Photoshop skills, that I haven't improved on since the Media Photography course at Carleton. We go on Wednesdays and while I missed tonight's because I was overwhelmed at work, I really love the class and it is great to hang out with Kristen once a week too.
After leaving The Word On The Street, Kristen's new job with The Writer's Union of Canada involves a lot of design work. She decided to start taking some related night courses through the Continuing Education program at George Brown College. She is working towards a Graphic Design Certificate. According to the George Brown website, "This certificate provides you with a foundation in design principles as well as training in the main software applications currently used within the industry." When she went to pick her third (of the eight total needed to get the certificate) she decided on a Photoshop course. I love photography and feel like it is probably a good time to upgrade my Photoshop skills, that I haven't improved on since the Media Photography course at Carleton. We go on Wednesdays and while I missed tonight's because I was overwhelmed at work, I really love the class and it is great to hang out with Kristen once a week too.
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Back Under The Threshold
Since early January I have been watching what I am eating very carefully. I am back on what I call "The Curves Diet" which is basically following recipes and eating guidelines that are photocopied from an outdated book that JennB had. The basics of it are smaller portions, more protein, less complex carbs, and lots of vegetables. It works for me and the food is really enjoyable. So it has taken about a month but I am very very slowly losing weight each week and I am happy to report that I am back under 200lbs again - just. I noticed that the scale had started to tip over that number back in August, and it did keep climbing over the Fall last year.
My goal is to be nice and thin again for Teri's wedding in July. I looked great for Taylor's wedding and it is fun to look back at those photos - not just because the wedding was so much fun, or because Steph took the photos, but also because I look good in them. That gives me 5 months or so to keep at this and slowly bring my weight down. I have noticed recently that, while still losing, the amount each week is much less so I know I need to start exercising too. (I need to start exercising for a ton of reasons actually.)
My goal is to be nice and thin again for Teri's wedding in July. I looked great for Taylor's wedding and it is fun to look back at those photos - not just because the wedding was so much fun, or because Steph took the photos, but also because I look good in them. That gives me 5 months or so to keep at this and slowly bring my weight down. I have noticed recently that, while still losing, the amount each week is much less so I know I need to start exercising too. (I need to start exercising for a ton of reasons actually.)
Monday, 10 February 2014
The Zit Is Coming
Every month, right before my period - I get a zit. Usually just one, and depending on its size it often isn't around for a very long time. However, it bugs me every time especially because I know it is going to happen and I could probably take better care of my skin to avoid it happening. I am not very good to my skin. The main thing I have going is that I only wear make-up once a month, so that is hopefully helping a bit - not that modern make up is all that unhealthy for your skin, in contrast some of it is beneficial. I also am careful to use sunscreen in the summer. However, I only rinse my face with water and only in the mornings. I use a face wash in the bath, but only when I remember which ends up being about once a week. But, I am starting my preemptive strike against the inevitable Period Zit. The last few mornings after washing my face (with just water) I am also using some toner to clean out the pores. I hope this works, then I will just need to figure out how to get ride of the bloating that always comes too.
Sunday, 9 February 2014
A Useful Machine
After a weekend with Jason's nephew's I have some thoughts on children/babies: For example, one should probably not have them until one is living in a place that has a dishwasher (and probably also easy access to daily laundry.) I am pretty sure that I am one of the last remaining people, of all my friends, still washing my dishes by hand. Thinking about their various houses and apartments the only people that might also be in a sink-only situation could be Nic and Drew, Erin AH, Anna, and Danielle - even them I am not totally sure, maybe they do have the very useful machine that is a Dish Washer.
He Really Is The Greatest
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.
Today I am just going to provide a link, to a picture I took and a poem that I wrote for my Dad - almost 7 years ago! Looking over Always Standing it doesn't seem like I have posted many pictures of him, in fact this could be the only one. However, they perhaps are not tagged very well so I haven't been able to find them. I am pretty sure that the photo was taken by me in Portugal, which we visited as a family in February 2006. However, the Father's Day poem was written and posted in 2007.
Today I am just going to provide a link, to a picture I took and a poem that I wrote for my Dad - almost 7 years ago! Looking over Always Standing it doesn't seem like I have posted many pictures of him, in fact this could be the only one. However, they perhaps are not tagged very well so I haven't been able to find them. I am pretty sure that the photo was taken by me in Portugal, which we visited as a family in February 2006. However, the Father's Day poem was written and posted in 2007.
Please See It HERE
It is all still true. I love you Dad!
Saturday, 8 February 2014
The Boys In Black And White
Here are some shots of Jason and his nephews from our trip down to the Aquarium this morning. The first one is by far the best, but the other two are cute too. (I didn't want to wrestle with my SLR, so, as you can probably tell, these were just taken with Jason's point-and-shoot.)
Left: Sky-Walking To Union (P, Jason, and L)
Right: Amazed After Touching A Hermit Crab (L)
First Time On A Streetcar
P and Jason
Left: Sky-Walking To Union (P, Jason, and L)
Right: Amazed After Touching A Hermit Crab (L)
All photos by Me
A Wet Caturday
After we had the shower tiled there was thick dust everywhere. Two was covered in it and when you touched her she felt gross. I didn't want her to lick it off herself. So earlier this week, Jason and I decided to wash her. She was really good about it - just looked very disappointed in us the whole time.
Two After Her Bath
Photo by Jason
Friday, 7 February 2014
Boys' Weekend In Toronto
Jason's nephews are visiting us in Toronto this weekend. For Christmas, Jason and I gave them a trip to the new Aquarium as their big gift so we are off to go do that tomorrow. We had a short but fun evening with them tonight - highlights of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, bath time, some reading, then to bed.
The Boys Showing Jason And I Their Reading Skills
Jason, L, and P
Photo by Me
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
ERin Is Still Amazing
Mid-Week Friend Update - A Wednesday feature that provides a small update on what is happening with the incredible people that I have in my life.
The funny thing about ERin is that she doesn't really like board games. Actually, her husband does but she is not very keen on them. My friends are all very different and it would be hard to find a common thread that runs throughout them all, but if I had to my first instinct would be that they are all 'game' people. However, ERin is not and she is a great friend who I am thrilled to have as part of my life. So, I will have to keep looking for the common thread. The reason I mention ERin's small aversion to board games is that she gave me an incredible one a few years ago. Well, a quick update on ERin would be that her hilariously random but oddly perfect gift giving ability is still strong.
Today, I came home to a huge box. (Yesterday, there had been notice that people had attempted a delivery but no one had been home. I was happy that Jason had a snow day to get it.) Inside was a bouquet of 12 stuffed kittens! There are 4 grey ones, 4 white ones and 4 little ginger ones like Two. They are arranged on sticks, but you can easily pull them off of the sticks, I haven't yet because I just love the strangeness of having them in bouquet formation and wrapping.
It makes me long for a cubicle a little bit so that I can line them all up along the back of my desk. (Maybe at my next job.) I am going to turn some into cat-toys for Two. In her note, ERin said it was a Valentine's Day present for all of us but that Two and I would like it more than Jason. I think Jason is confused by it but I feel I should share with Two. However, I also don't want to take it apart - it is just so amusing.
So, much thanks to ERin for making me smile and brightening my day! I love her sense of humour and have always been impressed with how well she combines being so kind with also being funny.
The funny thing about ERin is that she doesn't really like board games. Actually, her husband does but she is not very keen on them. My friends are all very different and it would be hard to find a common thread that runs throughout them all, but if I had to my first instinct would be that they are all 'game' people. However, ERin is not and she is a great friend who I am thrilled to have as part of my life. So, I will have to keep looking for the common thread. The reason I mention ERin's small aversion to board games is that she gave me an incredible one a few years ago. Well, a quick update on ERin would be that her hilariously random but oddly perfect gift giving ability is still strong.
Today, I came home to a huge box. (Yesterday, there had been notice that people had attempted a delivery but no one had been home. I was happy that Jason had a snow day to get it.) Inside was a bouquet of 12 stuffed kittens! There are 4 grey ones, 4 white ones and 4 little ginger ones like Two. They are arranged on sticks, but you can easily pull them off of the sticks, I haven't yet because I just love the strangeness of having them in bouquet formation and wrapping.It makes me long for a cubicle a little bit so that I can line them all up along the back of my desk. (Maybe at my next job.) I am going to turn some into cat-toys for Two. In her note, ERin said it was a Valentine's Day present for all of us but that Two and I would like it more than Jason. I think Jason is confused by it but I feel I should share with Two. However, I also don't want to take it apart - it is just so amusing.
So, much thanks to ERin for making me smile and brightening my day! I love her sense of humour and have always been impressed with how well she combines being so kind with also being funny.
Monday, 3 February 2014
A Shiny Shower On A Miserable Monday
It is Monday and I don't want to go to work. I haven't been enjoying my job very much lately, in fact I gave my notice in early January and am just waiting until they find me a replacement. Mondays have gotten more and more painful as the time drags on. However, a really exciting thing happened over the weekend - we got new tiles in our shower! Rrunuv Bayit has never really been in good repair. (It isn't as run down/literally falling apart as Le Manoir, but unlike Le Manoir it is not huge and beautiful.) Lately, the shower has been the worst part of Rrunuv Bayit.
When we first moved in Kristen's stepdad did an amazing job resealing the tub and broken tiles, but that was a long time ago and everything has gotten worse since. Jason and I were concerned that the mold was expanding to the walls behind the tiles. I would have never thought that our landlord would pay to get it repaired - but he did. It was quick and now looks great. There is thick drywall/renovation dust all over the place though, but I don't care - I am just so happy with the repairs!
When we first moved in Kristen's stepdad did an amazing job resealing the tub and broken tiles, but that was a long time ago and everything has gotten worse since. Jason and I were concerned that the mold was expanding to the walls behind the tiles. I would have never thought that our landlord would pay to get it repaired - but he did. It was quick and now looks great. There is thick drywall/renovation dust all over the place though, but I don't care - I am just so happy with the repairs!
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Cities And Kings
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.
My dad's emails were amazing. They were always so sweet but so strangely put together. I used to print them out when I was living in residence at Carleton and stick them up on my walls. At the funeral, I referenced his tenancy to never capitalize anything, except Mike's name, but it seems he was breaking out of that a little bit. However, I suspect it was because Mom and Dad were sending more emails using their tablet and it forces some punctuation on you. Similar to the last texts, this is the last email that I got from my dad (he died 9 days later). All punctuation and spacing is accurate:
Date: November 18, 2013
Subject: Cities and kings
I played Settlers Cities and Kings version gameson cruise.I meet a person form N.B canada. who still playes on line at the site you and I played. He said you can not get in away more it is full and no new members . LONG game 3 people 3-4 hours. and ton of twist and turns . David in Otawa would love it . Love dad
My dad's emails were amazing. They were always so sweet but so strangely put together. I used to print them out when I was living in residence at Carleton and stick them up on my walls. At the funeral, I referenced his tenancy to never capitalize anything, except Mike's name, but it seems he was breaking out of that a little bit. However, I suspect it was because Mom and Dad were sending more emails using their tablet and it forces some punctuation on you. Similar to the last texts, this is the last email that I got from my dad (he died 9 days later). All punctuation and spacing is accurate:
Date: November 18, 2013
Subject: Cities and kings
I played Settlers Cities and Kings version gameson cruise.I meet a person form N.B canada. who still playes on line at the site you and I played. He said you can not get in away more it is full and no new members . LONG game 3 people 3-4 hours. and ton of twist and turns . David in Otawa would love it . Love dad
Saturday, 1 February 2014
More Cats In The Computer Chair
I didn't want Caturday to get too focused on Rasta. So, last week had Jason sitting in his office chair holding up the tiny kitten. This week it is Jason, in the same chair, with Two:
Two Sitting On Jason's Lap
"Why iz you not paysing attentionz to me?"
Photo by Me
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