party like it's 1980

Christmas cake sale over tomorrow! Well, folks, i've been told that after tomorrow, i will not be wanted.* The theory goes that women are like christmas cake (you know, the icky fruit cake that weighs a tonne and nobody likes?!-- HEY, wait a minute!), nobody wants them after the 25th, i.e., Christmas day. And, since tomorrow will mark the 26th anniversary of my glorious appearing... the end is near.

That being said, it's time to party like it's 1980-- except without the neon spandex and sans diapers. I figure i still have approximately 27,376 days left on this earth, but it's still important to celebrate the last 9,490.

So, in the words of Lewis: A very merry unbirthday to each of you!

*don't worry, if we consider the source (ANDREW!), we won't be too concerned about it

at the fair

Last year we went to the Fair, dans les etats-unis. It was good fun.















However, rides cost a lot of money, especially when you try converting pretty money to boring money, (i.e., Cdn-->US $) So, in order to support me and Jacob's habit, i smiled at a creepy, crawly carnie. And it paid off! We got half a dozen free rides!! LOL

Apparently i was so cute* that not only were we given unlimited rides on his fun and exciting roller-coaster, but each time we went on it, he gave me more tickets to go on other rides. Now, some people, with over-active imaginations (*cough* anika *cough*), might suggest that he was doing this so that he could touch a real, live woman, who had actually showered within the last month. cringe!

Thankfully, we don't have any pictures of the aforementioned carnie, so i can pretend that the whole thing never happened!! :) Besides, look how happy Jacob was!

*please do not consider the source!


Alright, i just read this mornings paper and i must coment on the article that says (and i quote), "This isn't the first time Simpson has had the adoption urge; apparently, she wanted to adopt a child from Mexico for her sixteenth birthday present." Ok, nevermind-- i can't comment; i'm speechless.

Make it stop!

Sure-fire way to drive Janie batty:
a) Let some braniac implement their brilliant plan to have a youth drop in centre here, on the main floor, above my office.
b) Invite the teenage-terrors to come twice a week, between 3 and 5 p.m.
c) Refrain from letting Janie know that this is planned (this ensures she will not have made plans to be out of the office at this time)
d) Move the fooseball table and piano into the room directly above Janie's desk
e) Allow the punks to bang away at the piano, especially those who don't know how to play. Only let the ones who do pretend to know how to play, to play the entertainer over and over and over and over again.
f) Start a fooseball tournament (akin to having a bowling tournament above you in an un-insulated building)
g) Insist that the little cretins awaiting their turn on the piano or fooseball table stomp around like elephants.

Well, here i go... either to alleviate the pressure threatening to explode my head by poking at my eyes, or to go home.

Mmmm, Cadbury

"the benefits of chocolate... (according to cadbury)
Enjoying chocolate as a part of a balanced lifestyle can play a part in making people feel calmer, more relaxed and generally happier. Chocolate gives us an emotional boost, which triggers similar 'good feelings' to those we experience when listening to music, going on holiday, or being in love!"

Yes and Amen!

i'm not a dork

Thank you, Rita, for helping me understand my nerdiness.

Joe Normal
43 % Nerd, 26% Geek, 8% Dork For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored less than half in all three, earning you the title of: Joe Normal.

let it snow

I do not like snow. I like to ski occasionally, but i strongly feel that snow should be left on the mountains. The snow nymphs in Edmonton did not agree with me. Last weekend, it snowed almost TWO FEET while i was visiting there. Which, incidentally, is more snow than they got all winter! harumph.

Other than that, i had a most fantastic weekend. Captain JM (who's boat is still here in warm BC) succeeded in spending more money on me than i did on my flight. Haha, i bugged him about that before i left, but was honestly just joking. But he wouldn't let me pay for anything, which was sweet.

On Friday we went to Lazia for dinner and then watched a movie. Saturday involved West Edmonton Mall (hurray) and the water park there. Very fun, in spite of me whacking my head on the very first slide i went down, thus giving me a killer headache and a sore neck that was still plaguing me last night. We ate at Bourbon Street in the mall. And i convinced JM's cousin that i used to work at Hooters. Bwahaha!

Sunday flew by with a quick trip up past Wandering River to where my cousin is living at a logging camp. People suggested that the trip would take close to four hours, but JM managed to complete the 275km journey in under two hours, clipping along at 100miles per hour. (tricky math switch to help out my south of the 49th readers). By the time we got back home, there was just enough time to pack, relax and hit the sack.

I was up bright (well, actually, it was still dark) and early Monday morning to head back to sunny, beautiful Vancouver. I had a whole truckload of fun last weekend, but didn't manage to figure out what i want or clarify things. Perhaps i just need a new pair of shoes...

up, up, and away!

here i go. slowly. i haven't packed yet and i have tonnes to do before lift off. oh, and air canada is completely ridiculous because they expect me to buy another seat to bring a guitar with me. give your head a shake! oh well, next month he is flying here on west jet and they are much more accommodating.

on my morning commute i had to cut this punk off. it wasn't my fault, he was moody or something. it was just before the tunnel and i needed to get into the counter-flow lane so i cute-ly snuck into line. this triggered inappropriate and uncalled for honking. i sweetly gave him the good ol' thumbs up in reply. for some strange reason the punk thought it would somehow benefit him to scream and gesture to me the whole way through the tunnel. well, even if it didn't help him out, at least it entertained me and distracted me from the death-trap-for-claustrophobics i have to drive through daily.

being the courteous girl i am, i pulled into the middle lane and out of his way as soon as we were out of the tunnel. i thought he would go zooming by me, but no, he felt the need to pull up even with me. i'm not sure what he was saying or doing (although i'm sure i could guess), because i refused to glance his way-- even when i was blowing him kisses. (see how exceeedingly kind and generous i am?!) after swerving threateningly towards my car a few times, he took off. his fear tactics may have been more effective if his car wasn't newer and nicer looking than sylvia.

Go ahead buckwheat! Drive into me! Sylvia could use the free surgery!! :P

silly feller

Jerk, jerk, jerk. I would just like to say here and now, for all to hear, that Jerk is hot.
.
.
.
Bwahaha, like that's going to be the end of this post!! pffff! I need to add that although you are a super iif, I WILL NOT MARRY YOU, JERK! So please stop asking!!

On a completley different note: Remember how, when we were in second grade, boys would pull girls hair and call them names to show their affection? At what age is it realistic to hope this harassment matures into something a little more romantic?

must... *gasp*... post...

well, sorry to say, i have nothing fun or exciting to report. however, my dear blog was feeling sadly neglected, so i felt i should update.

last weekend i zipped up to kelowna to visit my parents, sister, and gorgeous nephew. he is the funniest, cutest, most adorable little guy. i am in love.

i have not one, not two, but three new leads on funding for my program. i am a very happy camper.

i am leaving thursday night for edmonton. i should be back monday morning. it will be a fun and exciting weekend. today i chatted with my cousin who is working at a logging camp three hours north of edmonton. the next step is convincing the lad to drive me up there one day!

13 and 28

As an illustration for numbers 13 and 28 below, i have cheated by stealing todays post from Anika. (And Nilo before her. Hopefully that's far enough. It's like when you copy down a recipe from someone; even if it says "Debbie's coffee cake," it becomes "Janie's coffee cake" if you get it from me. Right?!)

1.Have you ever been searched by the cops?
No, but I have been searched by security guards.
2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?
No, I prefer to face death head on.
3. When was the last time you went sleigh riding?
Well, it’s been a long time. Perhaps because last time I went it was with my then-boyfriend who tricked me into laying on my tummy on the garbage bag; he then sat on top of me. It was a very bumpy, unpleasant (alright, I’ll admit, hilarious) ride .
4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
Define “someone,” please specify.
5. Do you believe in ghosts?
Not ghosts of people, per se, but spirits, ya, definitely.
6. Do you consider yourself creative?
Nope. But I am smart, so I can trick others into being creative for me!
7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
No. Well, ok, he probably did, but we all got out of class on that day in October ’95 to find out.
8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
Go Team Aniston!!
9. Can you honestly say you know anything about politics?
It was my major at university, so I like to at least pretend that I do! J
10. Do you know how to play poker?
Kinda, I’ve been taught a couple of times. I prefer Dutch Blitz or King’s Corner or Blind Three.
11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
Yes, or at least pretty darn close. My cousin and I were coming home from India and had a ridiculous around-the-world-milk-stop-route. Since I was 18 and she was only 15, I had to stay awake during all our stop-overs to watch our luggage and make sure we didn’t miss our flights. And I can’t sleep on planes. Grrrr.
12. Do you kill bugs that are in the house?
No, I let boys take care of that.
13. Have you ever cheated on a test?
Yes, but I prefer to think of it as “creatively recycling a solution.”. Who hasn’t?!
14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around, do you go through red lights?
Yes, but usually I do a right turn and then a u-turn and then another right turn; that way I’m not technically running a red light.
15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
Of course, I’m human.
16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
I strongly believe that shoes are more important than socks, so if NYY are a type of shoe, then I’d go with them.
17. Have you ever ice skated?
Yes, but I rarely enjoy it.
18. How often do you remember your dreams?
Rarely, but I don’t think I dream very often to begin with.
19. When was the last time you laughed so hard you were crying?
That happens quite often, actually. (I live with Anika!)
20. Can you name 5 songs by The Beatles?
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, A Hard Day’s Night, Cant’ Buy Me Love, And I Love Her, Yesterday
21. Do you believe in love at first sight? Ya, sure.
22. Do you know who BaBa Booey is?
Uh, no. Google tells me Howie Stern does though.
23. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Yes, since I started driving.
24. What talent do you wish you had?
Painting.
25. Do you like Sushi?
It’s not my fave.
26. Have you ever narrowly avoided a fatal accident?
Yes, I dated JM for 4 years!
27. What do you wear to bed?
pj’s.
28. Have you ever been caught stealing?
Yep. And I had to give the stickers back. Dag-nab-it!
29. Does size matter?
Oh yes, I would never marry someone whose income was too small. (A)
30. Do you truly hate anyone?
I very strongly dislike someone.
31. Rock and Roll or Rap?
Rock and Roll fo sho. (amen to Ani, she said the exact same thing—I guess it must be true!)
32. Do you have a relative in prison?
Not that I’m aware of.
33. Have you ever sung in front of the mirror like your favorite singer?
Yes, but it’s funner in the car. Microphones are necessary, even if it’s just your fist and thumb. I think that round hair brushes are the most authentic.
34. Do you know how to play chess?
Yes, but that doesn’t mean I like it.
35. What food do you find disgusting?
Lots, I’m a bit of a food-bigot.
36. Did you ever play, "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours?" Nope.
37. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
Na, I have no qualms about making fun of them to their face.
38. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew? Yes.
39. Have you ever been punched in the face?
No, but I’ve been slapped a few times; that might be worse.
40. When is the last time you threw up from drinking too much?
Never. I’m not a fan of alcohol and i hate throwing up.
41. Have you ever walked out on a movie at the theater?
Yes, LA Confidential and Girl Interrupted. Oh, and Mission Impossible, but that’s because the only seats left were right at the front and I felt really nauseous after two minutes. (Now I know that the nausea may have been caused by Tom.)
42. Do you ever sit through a bad movie, just to see how bad it got?
Yes, Snatch. My little sister made me watch it, and I hated the whole thing.
43. Would you consider yourself obsessed with anything/anyone?
Is googling people and spying on them considered being obsessed?
44. Have you ever met someone famous? Yes.
45. Have you ever been stood up?
Probably, but I can’t think of it.
46. When's the last time you screamed at the top of your lungs?
Last April, U2 *sigh*
47. Did you ever do something that you didn't want to, but did anyway just to fit in? Ya.

Sweet

Click on track 7 on this site (track 8 is adults singing the longer version).

Feel free to tweak the words a bit to personalize your serenades. I personally prefer "schnookums-schnookums" to "snoogums-boogums," perhaps because my mom used to call me skookumchuckers. Don't ask.

Kentucky, if Matty starts singing this to Nikol, you can become upset.

Mighty Neighbourly

Thus far, my day has been crap.
1) I left for work promptly, only to be stuck in grid lock traffic for 35 minutes-- a part of my commute that usually takes 3.5 minutes.
2) Once i got to the office, i set my sweater on the file cabinet, opened the blinds, turned on my computer and checked my phone messages. It's a bit chilly, so i grabbed my sweater. Sadly, the cute little ladybug tape dispenser my mom gave me last spring came flying off the cabinet with my sweater and crashed to the floor. :( I hate ladybugs, but this little gapher is cute; i will have to take a picture later to prove this to you. I was very sad and frustrated.
3) As i tried to jam my arm into my sweater, i ripped a big hole in the shoulder.

I would have been desolate and despondent were it not for the fantastic new cd ani made for me that i was listening to on the way to work. It includes the song "truck got stuck" by corb lund. Very funny. Especially if you picture ani's bf sauntering around his bar saying "mighty neighbourly, mighty neighbourly" whenever he can fit it in.

Stinky Vines

Yes, we have beautiful foliage around our lovely home... which has decided to grow into our lovely home. Last night i unsuccessfully tried to convince Anika to climb up the ladder in the basement, stick her head into the ceiling, and look down the wall to see this unique indoor garden. However, much to her chagrin (and my delight), before she could work up the nerve to get close enough to the outside wall to see anything, she started squealing and flapping about.

What horrific sight or strange beast would cause such a dramatic reaction, you might ask. Well, it is curious indeed. A mysterious and peculiar thing: my sm's imagination!! Poor little mate thought she felt something attacking her, but it just wasn't so.

Our new roomie was wondering what all the commotion was about so we satisfied her curiosity with "those stinky vines" that grew into our home. Yes, yes, of course they are the reason we are having our whole basement re-done. No, no, it doesn't have anything to do with unwanted critters we evicted/annihilated. Just stinky vines, folks, just those darn stinkin' vines.

a quick post

My weekend was slightly to the lame side, since i spent most of it in bed, writhing in pain. However, now that that has passed, i am once again thankful that it's Monday (odd, i know).

A few tidbits from my morning thus far:
-i listened to my new Third Day cd and was a happy clam all the way to work
-i managed to melt an ice cube-- that i'd sucked up a straw-- between my swollen tonsils before i almost choked
-i refrained from laughing when answering the pharmacist that i needed to purchase a rectal enema, not oral
-i noticed the cherry blossoms are starting to come out *sigh*
-i told the ex to stop eating out for the next two weeks because when i go visit, i am expecting him to spend a lot of money on me :) [the best part is that he laughed, but then agreed!! wheee!]

Tonsillitis

I am sick. But thanks to my friendly neighbourhood pharmacy, i am feeling much better. My tonsils no longer feel like a large golf ball shoved in the back of my throat. (And i bite my tongue, and my thumb, at those who would suggest that i just 'wait it out' and not 'depend on antibiotics that work against my body' etc. People used to die from lack of penicillin!)

I'm so excited that Friday is finally here!! Finding someone to give me $50,000 is hard work. And for the birds, if you ask me. I told Holly that i was following Anika's advice to check phone booth return slots, and expanding that strategy to include vending machines as well. Holly suggest it would be prudent to include "couch cushions of all the people you visit, just wait until they go to the bathroom or something" What would i do without my friends?!

I wonder what fun and exciting things this weekend will hold...

Ash Wednesday

So, my friends, traditionally people give up something for the 40 days of lent. Since it's starting today, i guess i should figure out what it's going to be! Chocolate? Movies? Eating out? While none of these hardly seem like a sacrifice, maybe it would help me to re-focus. What are you giving up for lent?

In the words of pastor scott:

Today is Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the season of Lent. If you're unfamiliar with Lent, it is a part of a Christian liturgical calendar, and plays a similar role to Advent. Just as Advent is a season of preparing for the Advent (the arrival) of Jesus (at Christmas), Lent is a season of preparation for Christ's death and resurrection.

Down through history Christians have practiced Lent as a season of reflection and repentance, of putting down our masks, of learning about self-denial, and of looking again at one's life and Christ's sufferings... through Lent, we are led on a journey of (re)discovering the humble truth of ourselves and the life-giving truth of God's grace.

To be honest, Lent isn't fun, but its something most of us need--an invitation to return with all our heart to God... to be loved by Him and love Him in return... and so i want to invite you to consider participating in Lent this year (it begins on wednesday and goes till easter--40 days). I've been wrestling with how to help you and i do this, and i've run across this... its one of the best things i've found to help me wrap my head around lent and help me enter into it again this year. I'd recommend going there and exploring the site.

sore throat day 2

i. hate. having. a. sore. throat.

Whenever i catch a cold (which is far too often, especially since i haven't been drinking my noni juice-- insert nerd smiley here), i always lament about being at the worst stage of having a cold. At the beginning, having a sore throat is the absolute worst. Then the sinus headaches make me want to relieve the pressure by pouding a nail through my head (see Judges 4:21). After that comes the pain, and embarassment, of having a raw nose from wiping it too many times. Finally, let's not forget the wretched, hacking cough that makes me sound like a discounted lounge singer, an old man, and a frog, alternating. Clearly, colds suck.

However, since i am at the beginning (and, God willing, end) this ailment (i.e., the sore throat) the sore throat is theeeee worst ever.