merely talk

I miss the snow.

It’s weird. Come February in Edmonton I’m cursing the white stuff, and the wet feet resulting from walking in it. But right now, at this time of year I’m wishing it would come. I love how it makes the world look white and clean. It covers over all the brown grass and dirt. The world looks new. That first step outside and that first breath of the cold air is so refreshing and clear. I always feel like I’m the only person alive after a snow fall, which I guess would depress some people, but it invigorates me. I guess I’m a bit of a loner that way.

I love to have a fire going, a hot cup of tea and a new knitting project going with the snow falling down outside. There’s something so relaxing about it. So natural. I think it might be one of my favourite things in the world (after bubble baths of course).

Not to mention I love Christmas. It is my favourite holiday by leaps and bounds. Not even because of the getting presents factor either. I love giving them too. And I love the decorations and the music and I even like church. It’s one of the only time of the year where I not only go to church but thoroughly enjoy it. Especially the music. But being an Alberta girl I link Christmas with snow. And lots of it. By this time of year in Edmonton I would have a majority of my gifts bought, and several hours of Christmas music downloaded to torture roommates with. But this year. Blah. It still feels like fall to me. No snow means no winter. No “real” Christmas. No staying in and making oodles of Christmas cookies while the big snowflakes float down outside the window. And yes I do understand it’s possible to do all these things without the snow. And I assure you I will be doing all these things without the snow. And come February I’ll be complaining about the rain instead of the snow…but I still miss it and it’s atmosphere and all the memories I have linked to snow and ice.

It's been while eh? I'd be surprised if anyone is still reading this. I used to have a routine about updating. I'd get up early in the morning, and check my email and favourite websites and then I'd post here. But somewhere along the way that routine was dirupted. Partly because I started to work earlier, but also because I stopped having much to say. This week I've had lots to say. And I've kept meaning to write about it, but since I was writing an essay for my work placement I'd feel guilty if I was typing at the computer, but not typing my essay. So I just stopped.

Anyway.

My favourite aunt was in town during the latter part of the week and I had a super good time with her and my mom and my cousin. We went to this yarn shop on Broadway (the W10th part) that had recently opened and I bought lots of fun yarn and this book. Then I taught myself how to purl. Very exciting. I'm making a funky scarf of my own design to match the new pretty jacket I just bought. So that's fun and a very good way to not write an essay on ethics.

On Saturday night Anna and I headed to the Hollywood for the Napolean Dynamite/Garden State double feature. Please remind me to never go to the Hollywood on a Saturday night. Usually I don't. Monday's the cheap night, but this Monday Anna was working so we decided Saturday was a better choice. But it was so crowded and there were so many stupid, inconsiderate teenagers and children. It was awful. One kid in the front kept flicking his lighter, the entire balcony was comprised of stupid kids who wouldn't shut up (they broke out into a course of Happy Brithday at one point) and some guy sitting near me had brutal bad BO. Fortunately the movies were both so good I forgot about all the stupid people. And most of the teens left after Napolean Dynamite (their loss, Garden State is the better movie).

As Janice posted on her blog, Sunday I took a day trip down to Seattle. I had never been there and I really needed to get out of Vancouver for the day. We had no problem getting over the border and we first headed to Northgate Mall. And they had a Victoria's Secret. Which was awesome. I didn't buy anything though. After the mall we went downtown to this huge Marketplace. It was sort of like Granville Island. There we saw these huge lobster tails, were talking almost a foot here and really think. And these things called Elephant garlic, which is about the size of a baby's head.

We walked around downtown a little, Janice and her brother both bought some cool/pretty things. I saw a few things I liked, but nothing to tempt me to even try on. I was just happy to be there and to see a place which is very much like Vancouver, but at the same time very different. The difference are subtle but they are there.

We got home around six thirty and I got to work on my essay. And I just finished it a few minutes ago and emailed it to the internship coordinator. So that's awesome. I'm so glad it's done and that it's only a few more weeks until my absolutely favourite holiday.


One last thing before I end this post. I've debated all day about putting this up here, but I'm already sick of telling people one by one and it only happened last night. And since I have so many close friends I'd have a lot of people to tell. And This just seems easier this way. So Miah and I broke up last night. It was completely mutual and friendly and un-messy. I'm actually shocked at how smoothly it happened. So yeah. That's that.

I headed downtown this afternoon with my cousin Anna. It was awesome. I love shopping, she loves shopping and there was a shoe sale at Aldo. It was a beautiful thing. I managed to get a pair of pretty and warm pale blue boots which are adorable and a really funky pair of runners. Their beige with these pink straps that cris cross across the foot. Very cool. And it was buy one pair and get the second half off, and both these shoes were already sale priced at 50% off. So I got a super deal. And it made me happy. And they are pretty.

After the shoe extravaganza (Anna also walked away with a pair of boots and some strappy sandals) we headed to Winners for some discounted fashion fun. I was unlucky. I found one pair of passable jeans but then decided they looked better on Anna, but no luck with anything else. Anna found a shirt that was super cute though. So it was sucessful.

While we were waiting for the bus we went into Le Chateau for a moment to keep warm. I saw a super cute cord jacket and tried it on as a lark. It was nice but didn't quite fit in the shoulders (Which is actually a common problem for me...ends up my shoulders just aren't broad enough for my body). My actions attracted the attention of a sales person who shuffled me to the front of the store and showed me the most beautiful coat I'd ever seen. It was twice the price of the one I had just tried on, but warmer and longer and gorgeous. So I put it on. Which in hindsight was my downfall. It fit like a glove. Perfectly tailored in the shoulders and hitting me just above the knee. And I fell in love and laid down my debit card. I am the queen of the impulse shoppers.

So I have absolutely no faith in humanity anymore. I just heard about a ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada on the news. They've denied creating a law making the provinces pay to put more funding towards intensive behavioural therapy for kids diagnosed with Autism.

I understand that there is only so much money to go around, and that our health care is hanging by a thread as is. But this decision is still heartbreaking. I just keep thinking of my kids whose parents can't afford as much treatment as they need. My kids who are almost 6 and can't even speak. The treatment we provide has been proven to work but ideally the children need 40 hours of intervention a week (this includes Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy as well as what I do). The kids I work with get 15 hours on average. Because the BC government barely provides them the means for my pay check, and I'm undercharging.

And to top it all off this decision isn't even going to save the government money. It's so short sighted. If the government provided the money now, when the kids are under 6 years old, there's a much better chance the child will be at the same level, if not a little more advanced than his or her classmates when they reach grade one. Meaning that these kids will be able to live typical lives. Instead, now more kids will be completely dependent on their parents for the rest of their lives and will be institutionalized when their parents are unable to take care of them anymore. Meaning that when these kids are adults they will be costing the government a hell of a lot more money in the future. That's some forward thinking guys!

I would love for those judges to actually meet some of these kids they've just denied. Spend a few hours with them, spend some time with their parents. See what life is like in these homes. And then maybe mental health will become just as important as physical health to the government.

Anna and I finally made it to the movies Wednesday night, and enjoyed ourselves so much that we went back to catch another one on Thursday.

We went to go see Alfie on Wednesday at the Varsity. It was good times. Man that Jude Law is attractive. I'm not really sure the movie had a plot, it was mostly Jude being sexy and showing off some buff arms. I don't really remember much else.

Thursday night we went for the much more family oriented fare. The Incredibles was very cute. It wasn't as good as Finding Nemo, but still awesome. And I really, really loved the short before the film with the super cute sheep. That Pixar is so creative.

Anyway tonight I'm going to watch some Jeopardy, then Joan of Arcadia and then have a nice hot bath.


Fun!

Metrotown was a lot of fun. Well it was fun due to the company. Anna is wonderful. The trip there and back less fun...our timing is impeccable.

We met on the #22 headed for Burrard Station. Anna was already on and I got on at the designated stop and found a bus full of football fans. Of course I had totally forgotten about the western final. But such is life. I eventually got a seat placed conveniently behind Anna and proceeded to annoy her by pulling her hair. Good times. Why yes I am 4 years old.

I also got the pleasure of having a group of charmingly excited boys with toys, so to speak, sitting behind me. They became less charming when they repeatedly blew their horns in my ear. (Okay I didn't mean for that to sound sexual...and maybe it doesn't to anyone but me and I just have an inherently dirty mind, but still I felt a disclaimer was required). I forgave them though. They were happy and it was contagious. They all disembarked at Robsen, and we had a normal trip the rest of the way to Metrotown including train stoppage and breakage. Love transit!

I have never been to Metrotown. When I told people that Anna and I were going I got many warnings about getting lost and wearing comfy shoes. So I was a little worried. I mean yes I do know the entire layout of West Ed by heart, and it is much bigger than Metrotown, but since more than one person told me to beware I was a little nervous about the mall. Sadly I was a little disappointed once there. It wasn't that big to me. And it seemed pretty easy to navigate, it sort of was just one big circle with the occasional short offshoot. And I guess my shoes were made for walking, (cause that's just what they did), because my feet were fine.

Anyway other than that disappointment there was the total and utter disappointment with the fashion being offered. Out of desperation I even went into Aritzia. Nothing. And I'd heard such good things. It just seemed that most of the clothing was boring. Or maybe I'm just getting picker in my old age. Who knows? But the search for shoes and jeans and cute tops was not concluded at any of the offered stores.

After a complete tour of the place Anna and I had lunch at T.G.I. Fridays. Neither of us had ever been there and all I can say is that neither of us will ever return. I was sorely disappointed with there vegetarian offerings. And Anna's club sandwich had processed cheese on it. Dessert was good though. Mmm cake.

I decided that since we had traveled all the way there, we should try to take in a movie. But Silvercity had slim pickings and nothing I felt like dropping $12 on. Then we thought we would try Tinseltown. So onto the Skytrain we leaped and headed to that lovely theater. Again we were disappointed. We had missed the start of Napoleon Dynamite by 20 minutes, and nothing else interesting started for 3 hours. So we decided to start home.

And right there our fatal error became apparent. For just as we stepped outside into the rain, the stadium to our right let loose it's masses. The football game had ended. And any thought of getting on the skytrain disappeared once we saw the line. So we walked. All the way to Burrard. Said our goodbyes, got on different buses and went home.

All in all it was good and I'm glad I went. But I don't really need to go to Metrotown again. The only thing they had that Pacific Centre doesn't was Suzy Sheir. And I can live without Suzy.

I really need to find a shopping place here. In Edmonton I loved Whyte Ave. And then South Edmonton Common or West Ed for the more mainstream needs. Here I haven't found my place yet. Somewhere I can consistently find the goodness that I crave when making purchases.

Of course it doesn't help that I spend 6 days a week fending of sticky, paint covered hands. I'm pretty unwilling to buy nice clothes at the moment, yet always unwilling to buy cheap, ugly clothes for work. Damn my vanity!

In completely other news I got cable! Yay! This is huge. It's been so long since I had a TV with cable all to myself I don't even know what to do. Last night my cousin, Janice and I watched the Amazing Race. Which was awesome. But today I have yet to flick it on. But who knows what tomorrow will bring.

for the last few days?

Well Les Mis was awesome as was to be expected. I was so happy to have a chance to wear pretty clothes and stappy heels and makeup. I miss looking good these days. Anna had gotten us amazing seats. There were no tall people obstructing the view and we were far enough away to see the entire stage, but close enough to see lots of the little details of the stage.

The musical itself was just so cool. Everyone was amazing sounding and I found myself quite moved by the music.

All in all a good night.

I had a long work day on Friday that left me exhausted and my sessions on Saturday seemed to last forever.

Last night Sean, Amanda and I headed to Commercial for the best pizza in the world. But the wait for the table was much too long so we ended up heading down the street for cheap vegetarian goodness at Deserts. That place is so good, I'd pay twice as much for the food. It was a good time.

After dinner Amanda and I came back to my house and Sean went home to homework. We watched Saved! with the commentary and afterwards had a nice long talk. It was great.

So that pretty much sums up what's been happening. Today I need to go into my office briefly and then Anna and I are going to head out and explore Metrotown. Should be exciting!

So I'm bored. And for fun I thought I'd post the lyrics to one of the previously stated favourite songs of the moment. I'm usually not too into lyrics. I don't think they hold up on their own with out the music, but this song is different. The lyrics are simple, but lovely and can totally hold their own....

There’s a coffee stain around your eye
And lines that I don’t recognize
Everything changed from being okay
The night that you came home so late

I knew by the time on the stove
That you were no longer mine alone
I guess we’re just out on loan
And everybody is only their own

Oh I loved you
And I guess I still do
Everything was going so good
I thought something bad might happen
And then it did
If you know the difference between bad and good
Thought that I’d know
I cross my toes and that’s how it goes

Maybe I’m a fatalist
To let it all go at this
Like some balloon I’ll probably miss
Lost in a tree top

But there’s a coffee stain around your eye
And lines that I don’t recognize
Everything changed from being okay
The night you came home so late

Oh I loved you
And I guess I still do
Everything was going so good
I thought something bad might happen
And then it did
If you know the difference between bad and good
Thought that I’d know
I cross my toes and that’s how it goes

- Sarah Harmer

I didn't think it would ever happen. I actually finished my poncho mere minutes ago. That's right the first "real" knitting project I've ever undertaken is now done and even wearable. The fringe wasn't nearly as annoying as I thought it would be. It was actually kind of fun. I got to wrap yarn around a paperback to measure it and then cut it into fun little pieces and then I just carefully threaded them through the knitted part. It was really calming actually.

And I needed to be calm. There was an accident on the Second Narrows bridge today. Which I didn't find out about until I'd actually gotten onto the bridge so I was stuck in gridlock traffic for 45min. It took me longer to get over that bridge then it usually takes for me to get home. It was really frustrating. It didn't help that I was starving either. I think my favourite part was when I was stuck in one spot for about 10 min and right in front of me was a sign that said there was no stopping on the bridge. That was awesome.

Anyhoo. Anna and I are heading off to Les Mis tomorrow night. Should be totally and completely awesome. An added bonus will be annoying anyone unfortunate enough to be sitting near us by comparing the touring company to the London company we saw. I'm thinking London will be better if only because they've been putting Les Mis on in the same theater for 14 years or something. They pretty much have it down pat. The touring company doesn't have the benefit of knowing the stage as well...plus they're not British.

is alright for fighting!

Or not.

I was super cool last night. After I got home from work around 8, I made and ate dinner and then spent some time reliving my childhood on this site.

"You know very well I cannea read a word."

"The medium is the message."

"Saul. Saul! Burnt toast!"

Then I went to bed around 10. Aren't you jealous of my thrilling life?


Since I really have nothing to offer that's interesting I think I will share with you my favourite songs of the moment.

1) Flowers in the Window - Travis
2) Knock Yourself Out - Jon Brion
3) In the Sun - Joseph Arthur
4) Love Will Come Through - Travis
5) Coffee Stain - Sarah Harmer

Everyone should download/buy these. For they are awesome.

Too funny. Mostly because it's not so unlikely these days.

For some reason. I can't really explain it.

I got the due date for my first project. It's in 24 days. I should probably start some work huh? In good news I've finally picked a topic. Sort of. I'm still a little unclear on what I'm doing but I'll just do what I always do. Fake it. If you have enough confidence people tend to believe you know what your doing. So yeah. Ack!

Last night Anna and I had a junk food movie night. The theme of the night was teen pregnancy featuring the Molly Ringwald classic "For Keeps" and the newly released "Saved!". It was good, cheesy fun. And there was pizza. And those delicious sun chips.

Anyhoo I'll post later. I promise. Right now I have to go to work. Blah.

So glad I don't live there.

Seriously, one reason that has been expounded as to why Bush won over Kerry had to do with his stance to protect "moral values". So pretty much some Americans hold the "sanctity" of marriage to be much more important than their economy, health care, the draft, an illegal war, the deaths of thousands of troops and a woman's right to choose (of course this last one is probably another reason he won...). Woo! You go guys. If that's the thinking then they deserve that monster.

I'm so depressed.

Edited to add: Just for more clarity about what is so upsetting, you know despite the obvious of Bush having another 4 years to destroy the world, from cnn.com :

Voters in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah all approved anti-same-sex marriage amendments by double-digit margins.

Sigh. Over 86% of people who voted in Mississippi voted against same sex marriage. How sad it that. 86%. It kind of puts Alberta in perspective doesn't it?

Also from the same article:

"Millions of people understand that it's not bigotry to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, and it's not right-wing to think that children need a mother and a father, not two mothers and two fathers," said Gary Bauer, president of American Values, a group opposed to same-sex marriage.

Except that it is bigotry. It's denying a group of people their rights. And I honestly don't think that children need a mother and a father so much as they need at least one parent that loves them and takes care of them. It doesn't matter that person's gender, race, or sexual orientaion. Mr. Bauer please go to hell and take your fucking "American Values" with you.

Okay I think I'm done now. And please excuse the anger. I just really hate when other people try to control others around them by forcing their "morals" down their throats.

One of my supervisors is leaving the company. Today was my last meeting with her. It was a little sad. She's going to miss the kids, and I don't blame her. You grow attached to them so easily. As a goodbye gift and for "all our hard work" she gave me and the other two interventionists on this particular team Starbucks cards. Which is super sweet. Because everyone knows that if you're going to be working with kids on a daily basis, coffee is a necessity.

As I mentioned in my previous post my Halloween was really great. Sean and I headed out for a cheap vegetarian dinner and then headed over to this huge outdoor festival called the Parade of Lost Souls. There were so many people and many of them we're wearing elaborate costumes. There were lots of fun performers and fireworks and greatness. I really enjoyed myself and was pleasantly surprised. I honestly wasn't expecting much.

After that we came back to my house, met up with Anna and Amanda and chilled. During the chilling I had to come up with some sort of Halloween costume. Not easy. I'm such a bad procrastinator (or a good procrastinator I guess...) I left it to the last minute. The thing is I'm not the hugest fan of Halloween. I don't like dressing up all that much. And I think a lot of people my age use it as an excuse to over drink and do stupid and harmful things. But yeah, anyway costume. I did eventually come up with something.

Before we got to the party I was bitchy and tired. I had been up for ages and I wasn't even sure I wanted to go to this thing anymore. But once I was there I forgot all that. It was a total blast. So many people went all out on their costumes. One guy who I chatted with for awhile came as dirty laundry. He had cut a hole in the bottom of a laundry basket and he was wearing it around his torso. On his arm he had attached the lid of the laundry basket like a shield. On his head was a ABC box and affixed to the basket were various pieces of laundry. Including underwear. It was awesome. Pretty much everyone had gone to that extreme. I'm so glad I went, I had a lot of fun and it lifted the mood I've been in for the last little while. Well it did that night. It's back again.

Other than that not much is new. I'm working on some personal stuff so I hope everyone can excuse my bitchyness for a little while longer. I know it's asking a lot. But I think we're at the worst of it now and it's only going to get better. I hope at least.