Another interesting vid sent to me by my pal Clive in England...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3SRM6V30B4
Friday, February 16, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Poster Girl
I never thought I would ever be a poster girl! My dreams of being the same height as my parternal grandmother (5'10") vanished when I realized I wasn't going to grow beyond my 5'4". Plus I've never been skinny enough to be considered.
However, I have been chosen, like my grandmother, to be a poster girl. Not bad for someone descendended from a poster girl on my father's side and an actress/singer/songwriter on my mother's side.
Check out the web site http://www.northernwavekayak.com/index.php. The photo was taken by John Herbert during one of our summer kayaks in 2006. The same photo will be featured in Wavelength magazine too.
However, I have been chosen, like my grandmother, to be a poster girl. Not bad for someone descendended from a poster girl on my father's side and an actress/singer/songwriter on my mother's side.
Check out the web site http://www.northernwavekayak.com/index.php. The photo was taken by John Herbert during one of our summer kayaks in 2006. The same photo will be featured in Wavelength magazine too.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Bobby the dog
My friend, Clive, in England sent me the story about Bobbie the family dog a year ago and now has sent me a recap. I love this story of the dog who wasn't good enough for the Royal Marines but became a Bobbie in Salisbury. It seems Clive's grandfather took the dog home to his mother, Rosie Roper as a pet after rescuing him from the Royal Marines. The dog would often disappear only to show up at dawn as the family was waking up. Finally the Roper Family discovered Bobbie was making the rounds with the police. He would "train" the new officers on the beat!! Although the article above is small, you can still get a good look at Bobbie in the photo.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Skin care so natural you can eat it
At the beginning of January I ordered skin care from Nadarra. Heard about it in Sweetspot my e-newsletter.
After reading about what is in cosmetics and personal care products, and that "against animal testing" is not the same as "not tested on animals" I've been trying to find more natural products. There are plenty of places around town that offer various "natural" products. What I was looking for was something free of synthetics, parabens and most preservatives.
I ordered on December 31/January1 and the package arrived by January 5th. My red spots and dry cheeks from winter weather have disappeared. My skin looks great! I even received a sample of hand cream. The skin care is 95% edible!
Julie replied to my emails answering all my questions and even asked how I liked the products and how was my skin reacting.
Reasonably priced, including the shipping prices. Will be ordering again.
http://www.nadarra.com/
After reading about what is in cosmetics and personal care products, and that "against animal testing" is not the same as "not tested on animals" I've been trying to find more natural products. There are plenty of places around town that offer various "natural" products. What I was looking for was something free of synthetics, parabens and most preservatives.
I ordered on December 31/January1 and the package arrived by January 5th. My red spots and dry cheeks from winter weather have disappeared. My skin looks great! I even received a sample of hand cream. The skin care is 95% edible!
Julie replied to my emails answering all my questions and even asked how I liked the products and how was my skin reacting.
Reasonably priced, including the shipping prices. Will be ordering again.
http://www.nadarra.com/
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Starfish Gallery--final closing
It is with great sadness that I received the final e-newsletter from Starfish Gallery. They closed the doors at the end of December and the three main glass designers go onto other art projects. There will be a final sale (from the newsletter)
There will be three aspects to the contents of the sale. Firsts: some of our regular stock that we want to clear out at unprecedented discounts! Seconds: the usual accumulation of almost-good-enough pieces plus garden art, weird bits and blobs and the terrifying contents of “Gary’s room”. Junk: everything else that we want to clear out, miscellaneous non glass stuff such as display items, office equipment, wood, tools… ten years and 8600 square feet of accumulated stuff - come and get it!
Friday January 19, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm and…
Saturday January 20, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
At 630 Yates – the last time the building will be open to the public as Starfish!
terms will be cash and carry as usual. Call fax or e-mail for more info.
I'm going to try and get there Saturday but I'm sure the pickings will be slim. However, knowing Bernie and Paula I'm sure they will make a trek down, especially at the mention of tools. If either of them goes I hope they have the good sense to grab pieces of glass to give to their friends (ie: ME!!) for presents.
Ever since the first time I walked through Starfish Gallery's doors 9 odd years ago, I have had a respect for glass. I've taken out of town visitors to see shows and have stood in utter awe struck silence as pieces were formed in front of my very eyes. I've given three of my best Christmas presents from Starfish Gallery--the beautiful Christmas balls--one hangs in my parents condo, one hangs in my former friend/hairdresser's house and one is with a friend in Germany.
Victoria has lost a wonderful gallery and a venue that will be sorely missed.
There will be three aspects to the contents of the sale. Firsts: some of our regular stock that we want to clear out at unprecedented discounts! Seconds: the usual accumulation of almost-good-enough pieces plus garden art, weird bits and blobs and the terrifying contents of “Gary’s room”. Junk: everything else that we want to clear out, miscellaneous non glass stuff such as display items, office equipment, wood, tools… ten years and 8600 square feet of accumulated stuff - come and get it!
Friday January 19, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm and…
Saturday January 20, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
At 630 Yates – the last time the building will be open to the public as Starfish!
terms will be cash and carry as usual. Call fax or e-mail for more info.
I'm going to try and get there Saturday but I'm sure the pickings will be slim. However, knowing Bernie and Paula I'm sure they will make a trek down, especially at the mention of tools. If either of them goes I hope they have the good sense to grab pieces of glass to give to their friends (ie: ME!!) for presents.
Ever since the first time I walked through Starfish Gallery's doors 9 odd years ago, I have had a respect for glass. I've taken out of town visitors to see shows and have stood in utter awe struck silence as pieces were formed in front of my very eyes. I've given three of my best Christmas presents from Starfish Gallery--the beautiful Christmas balls--one hangs in my parents condo, one hangs in my former friend/hairdresser's house and one is with a friend in Germany.
Victoria has lost a wonderful gallery and a venue that will be sorely missed.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Party in Hawaii
Taken from Sweetspot Magazine sent to me December 29.....check out the Hawaiian music site. I never knew Hawaiian music could be so much fun!! There is even a Christmas album which may become the must have album for my collection of odd Christmas tunes!
This newsletter is full of ideas for a Hawaiian party...I haven't had one or been invited to one for many years. Might be a good read for those of you who have travelled to Hawaii and are now missing your second home.
It's cold outside and budgets are tight. So this year, our-savvy-little-selves are staying clear of cash-grabbing New Year's Eve parties. Instead, we're spending the night in and doing it in style. Here's how you and your pals can join in the fun:
Décor
First, we're picking a theme for our impromptu party and going retro-Hawaiian with inspiration we picked up from our last trip to London's coolest pub, Trailer Happiness. (But any theme will do.) We're decorating the room with party lights (stolen from our Christmas tree), surf boards (erm, or in our case our snowboard) and colourful tropical fabrics (please, who doesn't have access to a thrift store boasting racks of $1.99 Hawaiian shirts?).
Guests
We're playing telephone, spreading the word with our guests coming in beachwear. If we're really ambitious we'll make leis out of paper and string. One of our favourite online resources is Party 411. They've got all the supplies we need for our pseudo-Luau.
Sips and Eats
We're serving Mai Tai cocktails, fresh fruit, shrimp rings and some yummy Ono Ribs. But there are more tropical-themed recipes in this awesome online guide: http://entertaining.about.com/cs/dinnerparties/a/luau_3.htm
Tunes
Set the mood with some Hawaiian music. We're downloading tracks from www.hawaiianmusicstore.com.
Entertainment
Nothing says Hawaiian than Elvis in Blue Hawaii. We're renting the DVD and popping it on for some side-splitting backdrop entertainment. Long live the king! Then later (after the Mai Tais kick in), we'll be suggesting a couple of rounds of Identity Crisis or The Therapy Game. We may even try our hands at island-authentic limbo and hold our own how-low-can-you-go contest. Party 411 has the kit.
We're feeling the Waikiki heat...all we need now are a few sun lamps, sand and a cabana boy to say "Aloha!"
This newsletter is full of ideas for a Hawaiian party...I haven't had one or been invited to one for many years. Might be a good read for those of you who have travelled to Hawaii and are now missing your second home.
It's cold outside and budgets are tight. So this year, our-savvy-little-selves are staying clear of cash-grabbing New Year's Eve parties. Instead, we're spending the night in and doing it in style. Here's how you and your pals can join in the fun:
Décor
First, we're picking a theme for our impromptu party and going retro-Hawaiian with inspiration we picked up from our last trip to London's coolest pub, Trailer Happiness. (But any theme will do.) We're decorating the room with party lights (stolen from our Christmas tree), surf boards (erm, or in our case our snowboard) and colourful tropical fabrics (please, who doesn't have access to a thrift store boasting racks of $1.99 Hawaiian shirts?).
Guests
We're playing telephone, spreading the word with our guests coming in beachwear. If we're really ambitious we'll make leis out of paper and string. One of our favourite online resources is Party 411. They've got all the supplies we need for our pseudo-Luau.
Sips and Eats
We're serving Mai Tai cocktails, fresh fruit, shrimp rings and some yummy Ono Ribs. But there are more tropical-themed recipes in this awesome online guide: http://entertaining.about.com/cs/dinnerparties/a/luau_3.htm
Tunes
Set the mood with some Hawaiian music. We're downloading tracks from www.hawaiianmusicstore.com.
Entertainment
Nothing says Hawaiian than Elvis in Blue Hawaii. We're renting the DVD and popping it on for some side-splitting backdrop entertainment. Long live the king! Then later (after the Mai Tais kick in), we'll be suggesting a couple of rounds of Identity Crisis or The Therapy Game. We may even try our hands at island-authentic limbo and hold our own how-low-can-you-go contest. Party 411 has the kit.
We're feeling the Waikiki heat...all we need now are a few sun lamps, sand and a cabana boy to say "Aloha!"
Monday, December 11, 2006
Christmas Baking
The only time I bake is 1) Christmas 2) if I have time to do something for one of our many office Goodie Days 3) friends birthday or dinner party 4) the grannie smith apples next door are ripe and need to be picked
One thing I love about baking is the gadgets! Cooking just doesn't incorporate enough gadgets which is probably why I don't enjoy it as much as baking. With baking one has bowls, whisks, spoons, graters, grinders, blenders, pastry blenders, zesters, rolling pins, measuring spoons, oh the list goes on.
Sharing recipes with coworkers and friends is a delight! Tasting someone else's baking is pure pleasure! Taking a recipe and experimenting, adding your own twist is so much fun.
My favourite sites are www.allrecipes.com, Kraft (recipes which are easy to modify), Thrifty Foods (online eflyer and recipes) and Chatelaine magazine online. Oh and I do admit it....Martha Stewart for recipes, crafts and inspiration.
Also on my list of fav sites is: http://www.goldaskitchen.com and www.ashtongreen.com--both Canadian. I love looking at the new gadgets!
And I can't resist kitchen shops--Muffet & Louisa, Capital Iron (best cast iron frying pans), Haute Cuisine...
I have a good selection of cookbooks too, including my Grade 8 Home Economics cookbook which was printed in the 1960s and was a joke to my HE class because of the opening photo and some of the recipes. The reason I kept it is it does have the basics and a long list at the back for removing stains from clothing which actually work.
Now Christmas is over, the baking is done until a Goodie Day or birthday or my good intentions of taking my own homemade muffins for morning coffee break.
One thing I love about baking is the gadgets! Cooking just doesn't incorporate enough gadgets which is probably why I don't enjoy it as much as baking. With baking one has bowls, whisks, spoons, graters, grinders, blenders, pastry blenders, zesters, rolling pins, measuring spoons, oh the list goes on.
Sharing recipes with coworkers and friends is a delight! Tasting someone else's baking is pure pleasure! Taking a recipe and experimenting, adding your own twist is so much fun.
My favourite sites are www.allrecipes.com, Kraft (recipes which are easy to modify), Thrifty Foods (online eflyer and recipes) and Chatelaine magazine online. Oh and I do admit it....Martha Stewart for recipes, crafts and inspiration.
Also on my list of fav sites is: http://www.goldaskitchen.com and www.ashtongreen.com--both Canadian. I love looking at the new gadgets!
And I can't resist kitchen shops--Muffet & Louisa, Capital Iron (best cast iron frying pans), Haute Cuisine...
I have a good selection of cookbooks too, including my Grade 8 Home Economics cookbook which was printed in the 1960s and was a joke to my HE class because of the opening photo and some of the recipes. The reason I kept it is it does have the basics and a long list at the back for removing stains from clothing which actually work.
Now Christmas is over, the baking is done until a Goodie Day or birthday or my good intentions of taking my own homemade muffins for morning coffee break.
This may be me one day!!
As I am preparing for my exam on Friday, December 15 and studying until my brain feels it is on overload, I begin to wonder why in the world I have taken up the return to attempting to get my degree. I love learning, although I am sure I could learn at a much cheaper rate by lots of reading and self study. The other point here is a degree helps me to get a better job at work.
I sometimes get discouraged that this will take forever! I only get funding for one course a year from the Career Development Fund. The university I work for does not offer staff a reduction in tutition fees. My workplace promotes higher education, but then does not offer it to its own staff. I suppose helping me by a fee reduction would mean I'd just be a graduate doing a clerk job!!
No matter how long it takes, and no matter if this is to obtain a better job or for my own pleasure and goals, today I came across this story. It hits home on the university front and that it will not matter if I don't get my degree until I am sixty or seventy or eighty for that matter. It proves that in a society where we put so much value on youth and so little on our seniors there still is brain power after 50 and value no matter what one's age.
Kansas woman, 95, prepares for final exams
HAYS, KS - Like most students at Fort Hays State University, Nola Ochs plans to spend some time reading and studying during this week's fall break. But she'll take time out on Wednesday to celebrate her 95th birthday.
Ochs is living at Wooster Hall on campus while pursuing her general studies degree at the university. She has about 15 hours to take next semester to get her degree.
If she does it, Ochs will be the Guinness Book of World Records' oldest college graduate.
But it will also be the culmination of a lifetime of learning. She started at Fort Hays in 1930, when it was known as Kansas State Teacher's College.
Then in the 1970s, in her 60s, she took classes part time at Dodge City Community College, and eventually St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City. She took some virtual classes earlier at Fort Hays before deciding to attend classes this semester.
On Friday, the last day before fall break, her family and fellow classmates threw her an impromptu birthday party during her Biblical Studies class. Her son, Alan Ochs, flew in from Jetmore for the occasion. Her granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs, didn't have to travel as far — she's in the same class as her grandmother.
After the party, Alan Ochs took his mother home for Thanksgiving break.
"We're happy to get her back home for a while," Alan Ochs said. "We missed having her out there, especially through the fall harvest."
Though Nola is amused by her potential status as the world's oldest graduate, she said she's more excited about getting to walk at the graduation ceremony with her granddaughter.
Asked for some words of wisdom, Ochs simply said, "I give thanks to the Lord and try to live day by day. I try to do whatever is pleasing to Him. That's what I want to do.
I sometimes get discouraged that this will take forever! I only get funding for one course a year from the Career Development Fund. The university I work for does not offer staff a reduction in tutition fees. My workplace promotes higher education, but then does not offer it to its own staff. I suppose helping me by a fee reduction would mean I'd just be a graduate doing a clerk job!!
No matter how long it takes, and no matter if this is to obtain a better job or for my own pleasure and goals, today I came across this story. It hits home on the university front and that it will not matter if I don't get my degree until I am sixty or seventy or eighty for that matter. It proves that in a society where we put so much value on youth and so little on our seniors there still is brain power after 50 and value no matter what one's age.
Kansas woman, 95, prepares for final exams
HAYS, KS - Like most students at Fort Hays State University, Nola Ochs plans to spend some time reading and studying during this week's fall break. But she'll take time out on Wednesday to celebrate her 95th birthday.
Ochs is living at Wooster Hall on campus while pursuing her general studies degree at the university. She has about 15 hours to take next semester to get her degree.
If she does it, Ochs will be the Guinness Book of World Records' oldest college graduate.
But it will also be the culmination of a lifetime of learning. She started at Fort Hays in 1930, when it was known as Kansas State Teacher's College.
Then in the 1970s, in her 60s, she took classes part time at Dodge City Community College, and eventually St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City. She took some virtual classes earlier at Fort Hays before deciding to attend classes this semester.
On Friday, the last day before fall break, her family and fellow classmates threw her an impromptu birthday party during her Biblical Studies class. Her son, Alan Ochs, flew in from Jetmore for the occasion. Her granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs, didn't have to travel as far — she's in the same class as her grandmother.
After the party, Alan Ochs took his mother home for Thanksgiving break.
"We're happy to get her back home for a while," Alan Ochs said. "We missed having her out there, especially through the fall harvest."
Though Nola is amused by her potential status as the world's oldest graduate, she said she's more excited about getting to walk at the graduation ceremony with her granddaughter.
Asked for some words of wisdom, Ochs simply said, "I give thanks to the Lord and try to live day by day. I try to do whatever is pleasing to Him. That's what I want to do.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Snow
November 26 the snow starting falling and by mid-morning was piling up. I went out for groceries it being a short walk to the Oak Bay Village. Everything was open and there was even hopes the lighting celebrations would still happen. These were cancelled by noon or so.
Today, November 27, the city is basically closed! This snow has shut Victoria down. In other places I've lived I would still be going to work and everything would still be running.
I must admit that the University of Victoria was slow on announcing it was closed. Considering bus service was cancelled before UVic closed, and I would have been standing at the stop, I would have missed both announcements. Which makes me think about a better way of getting information. Maybe I need to start carrying my little portable radio again.
Interesting....no one called me on the emergency listing we recently updated. Good thing I phoned Rena to tell her to stay home. Bettina, my other team member, had a day off so I didn't need to notify her about not going to work.
Maybe this will be another event to realize our contact list needs to be used!
Tuesday is suppose to be worse!
Oh, and nice weather for Gillian to return to after a long stay in Hawaii!
Today, November 27, the city is basically closed! This snow has shut Victoria down. In other places I've lived I would still be going to work and everything would still be running.
I must admit that the University of Victoria was slow on announcing it was closed. Considering bus service was cancelled before UVic closed, and I would have been standing at the stop, I would have missed both announcements. Which makes me think about a better way of getting information. Maybe I need to start carrying my little portable radio again.
Interesting....no one called me on the emergency listing we recently updated. Good thing I phoned Rena to tell her to stay home. Bettina, my other team member, had a day off so I didn't need to notify her about not going to work.
Maybe this will be another event to realize our contact list needs to be used!
Tuesday is suppose to be worse!
Oh, and nice weather for Gillian to return to after a long stay in Hawaii!
John's arm
On November 20, a week ago, John was cycling home when he hit a bump and wiped out. He had the good sense to use his cell phone to call his own ambulance. At first he thought his arm was broken, then dislocated and finally the verdict was the shoulder was broken. He's in a sling, off work and taking one day at a time.
I'm just glad it wasn't worse!
Everyone has been great to John and I. I really appreciate all the offers to help and just asking me how it is going.
I'm just glad it wasn't worse!
Everyone has been great to John and I. I really appreciate all the offers to help and just asking me how it is going.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
5 more to go & counting...
November 16, November 20, November 23, Novemer 27 and November 30....that will be the end of Anthropology 312, Medical Anthropology. I can't believe it! I'm reading Chapter 4 of In the Bush the take home study text. I have one final assignment to be given to me which will be due at the end of November. My exam is December 15 at 2pm. A Friday and a booked vacation day! Think I might exchange that with an EDO instead.
I'm chipping away at my degree but I've a long long way to go. Even if I am now classified as a second year student. The Career Development Fund will only cover one course a year. Which means I have to take my course either from September to December or January to April or in Summer Session. I still think it is a bit odd that the education institution I work at doesn't cover more courses for the development of their support staff. Think about it, a post secondary institution that promotes higher education, yet only covers one course per year. Oh I can take multiple free workshops put on by HR or the cheaper courses, but I don't have an option to take more courses.
Hopefully this will change. Afterall isn't having employees who are also students the best form of promotion for the university?
I'm chipping away at my degree but I've a long long way to go. Even if I am now classified as a second year student. The Career Development Fund will only cover one course a year. Which means I have to take my course either from September to December or January to April or in Summer Session. I still think it is a bit odd that the education institution I work at doesn't cover more courses for the development of their support staff. Think about it, a post secondary institution that promotes higher education, yet only covers one course per year. Oh I can take multiple free workshops put on by HR or the cheaper courses, but I don't have an option to take more courses.
Hopefully this will change. Afterall isn't having employees who are also students the best form of promotion for the university?
Monday, November 06, 2006
Sub-zero not a temperature but a clothing size
I cheered Milan's fashion catwalk when in a radical move it decided to ban drastically thin models from its catwalks. Imagine a 20 something model wearing clothes that a 7 year old child could wear. Think about Hollywood's pressure on stars to be super thin. I recently saw a comparison of photos of Demi Moore in a magazine; Demi in the 1980s and Demi today. It was proof of how a healthy young woman can starve herself thin. Dove has a wonderful video on their site in support of their self esteem campaign for young women. It shows a model, pretty girl, and then we get to view the transformation she goes through until her photograph is plastered on a billboard. Photo enhancement in magazines, on billboards and in the media is big business. There should be a disclaimer: the people you see in these photographs are real people who have been enhanced to perfection.
And then I discover that the hourglass figure is the shape used for most of women's clothing. Only 8% of women are a true hourglass, and although Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren fell into this shape, Marilyn had to work hard to keep it. Most women are either an apple, spoon/pear or rectangle. Designers don't cut clothes for these shapes and haven't in 50 years!! There is a push on in the fashion industry to change, to start designing and cutting clothes for the top 3 shapes. I await this change and I will applaud it!! Maybe I will finally be able to find skirts and pants that fit my waist without gapping because I have to buy pants/skirts to fit over my hips but which end up being too big in the waist.
This week, I read with horror that there is a new size! Often when shopping sales, I find a plentiful supply of size 0s which haven't sold. Shouldn't this be telling someone that size 0 people aren't plentiful and that there is a mutitude of leftover clothing! Now subzero has been introduced into the UK size 00! Maybe the UK is trying to sell adult clothing to seven year olds?? Who in the world is size 00, other than those terribly sad photos of starving children in Africa? Is this what we are asking our young woment to aim for?
Sure there is an obesity problem in North American, but asking people to starve themselves thin isn't the answer to this problem nor is it a healthy body image to promote.
And then there are skinny jeans at the Gap using Audrey Hepburn as the model. Audrey who was one of the worst eaters, and who like a lot of stars at the time was on a strict diet to maintain her shape.
And then I discover that the hourglass figure is the shape used for most of women's clothing. Only 8% of women are a true hourglass, and although Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren fell into this shape, Marilyn had to work hard to keep it. Most women are either an apple, spoon/pear or rectangle. Designers don't cut clothes for these shapes and haven't in 50 years!! There is a push on in the fashion industry to change, to start designing and cutting clothes for the top 3 shapes. I await this change and I will applaud it!! Maybe I will finally be able to find skirts and pants that fit my waist without gapping because I have to buy pants/skirts to fit over my hips but which end up being too big in the waist.
This week, I read with horror that there is a new size! Often when shopping sales, I find a plentiful supply of size 0s which haven't sold. Shouldn't this be telling someone that size 0 people aren't plentiful and that there is a mutitude of leftover clothing! Now subzero has been introduced into the UK size 00! Maybe the UK is trying to sell adult clothing to seven year olds?? Who in the world is size 00, other than those terribly sad photos of starving children in Africa? Is this what we are asking our young woment to aim for?
Sure there is an obesity problem in North American, but asking people to starve themselves thin isn't the answer to this problem nor is it a healthy body image to promote.
And then there are skinny jeans at the Gap using Audrey Hepburn as the model. Audrey who was one of the worst eaters, and who like a lot of stars at the time was on a strict diet to maintain her shape.
Monday, October 09, 2006
VCon 31
This is my third VCon which takes place during the October long weekend in Vancouver British Columbia Canada. It is a Science Fiction & Fantasy conference with dealers, gaming, authors, panel discussions, filking, dancing and varioius other events. It isn't Star Trekkies either! Many of the people here enjoy the same things you'd like yourself. Most of them have read Lord of the Rings and other fantasy, plus science fiction. Now I never considered myself a science fiction fan, but actually I've discovered I am. Reading Connie Willis or enjoying Firefly puts me into this category. However, when I mention I'm going to VCon I have to explain it isn't a bunch of Star Trek fans dressing up.
This year I even took an oragami workshop to learn how to fold paper into a dragon. Since my friend Steph loves dragons so much I've placed my first, and maybe only, paper dragon into her safe keeping.
I didn't dress up and never have, nor do I feel I have to.
I've participated in discussions on "How will Harry Potter end?", global warming, what I read besides science fiction or fantasy, what new movies are to be released, dragons good and evil, the emotional palette of horror and magic or religion.
It is a great way to share ideas, meet wonderful people from many different walks of life, do some shopping (Ikea & Richmond Centre), spend time away from the island and spend some time with John.
Maybe one day I will attend some of the other cons.
This year I even took an oragami workshop to learn how to fold paper into a dragon. Since my friend Steph loves dragons so much I've placed my first, and maybe only, paper dragon into her safe keeping.
I didn't dress up and never have, nor do I feel I have to.
I've participated in discussions on "How will Harry Potter end?", global warming, what I read besides science fiction or fantasy, what new movies are to be released, dragons good and evil, the emotional palette of horror and magic or religion.
It is a great way to share ideas, meet wonderful people from many different walks of life, do some shopping (Ikea & Richmond Centre), spend time away from the island and spend some time with John.
Maybe one day I will attend some of the other cons.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
IKEA Catalogue
A coworker brought me an IKEA catalogue which she picked up when she visited her parents on the mainland. I'd been checking my mailbox daily awaiting my ordered copy. Of course the ordered copy showed up two days after Kate brought me one.
I had two!! I had already started to put post-it notes onto pages with notes written on the post-its. The second catalogue was scooped by my partner, John, as his ordered copy had not shown up. When I mentioned to friends that during our trip to Vancouver (aka Vankookoo) we would be making an IKEA stop, I was asked if I had a catalogue. I had to mention I had two, one already scooped and one now plastered with post-its. However, I would bring said catalogue along for viewing purposes only and I would turn the pages.
I willingly lead out some of my books, but my IKEA catalogue is a treasure not to be lent. I've saved for months to purchase the matching dresser for the bedside tables I purchased last year.
I think IKEA should include a page of post-its you can peel off labelled: NEED IT, LOVE IT, WANT IT, like LOULOU Magazine.
Now the latest question is, Last year did John leave the back seat in the van or did we take it out to fit in the IKEA purchases??
I had two!! I had already started to put post-it notes onto pages with notes written on the post-its. The second catalogue was scooped by my partner, John, as his ordered copy had not shown up. When I mentioned to friends that during our trip to Vancouver (aka Vankookoo) we would be making an IKEA stop, I was asked if I had a catalogue. I had to mention I had two, one already scooped and one now plastered with post-its. However, I would bring said catalogue along for viewing purposes only and I would turn the pages.
I willingly lead out some of my books, but my IKEA catalogue is a treasure not to be lent. I've saved for months to purchase the matching dresser for the bedside tables I purchased last year.
I think IKEA should include a page of post-its you can peel off labelled: NEED IT, LOVE IT, WANT IT, like LOULOU Magazine.
Now the latest question is, Last year did John leave the back seat in the van or did we take it out to fit in the IKEA purchases??
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
What Now?
I applied for a Payband 7 position in our office and again I didn't get it. I asked for feed back on the interview and got useful information. To be honest, when I left the interview I went through that phase where I thought of better answers. I know from past experience that when I start doing this my instincts are letting me know..."not this time".
It isn't IF it is just a matter of WHEN!
Or as I hope something better is coming my way.
I won't believe it when I see it....I'll see it when I believe it.
I will, I will, I will, I will be a PB7!
It isn't IF it is just a matter of WHEN!
Or as I hope something better is coming my way.
I won't believe it when I see it....I'll see it when I believe it.
I will, I will, I will, I will be a PB7!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw
Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw, Travels in Search of Canada by Will Ferguson
I started this book, and then put it down to read The Secret Language of Girls (see review below) and then picked it up again. Some books you just can't pick up again, you have to go back and begin again. This book isn't like that, this book is a road trip across Canada, and one can take a side trip, such as reading another book, then return to the main road.
As someone who has studied Canadian History at university and who has lived and travelled through most of my selected home country, I completely enjoyed this book. I've been to some of the places Will Ferguson writes about and a lot he hasn't. Which just made me realize that writing a book about Canada isn't easy, there is just too much to see.
I've seen a lot of the Giant Objects beside Canada's highways, and could add to Will's list as he forgot Husky the Muskie in Kenora, the Icelandic man in Gimli (aka the giant chess piece) and a few others. I've even drunk Muskoka Dry.
What Will Ferguson has given us is a taste of Canada with a sense of humour. One that will make you yearn to hit the road and see this great big country for yourself.
I started this book, and then put it down to read The Secret Language of Girls (see review below) and then picked it up again. Some books you just can't pick up again, you have to go back and begin again. This book isn't like that, this book is a road trip across Canada, and one can take a side trip, such as reading another book, then return to the main road.
As someone who has studied Canadian History at university and who has lived and travelled through most of my selected home country, I completely enjoyed this book. I've been to some of the places Will Ferguson writes about and a lot he hasn't. Which just made me realize that writing a book about Canada isn't easy, there is just too much to see.
I've seen a lot of the Giant Objects beside Canada's highways, and could add to Will's list as he forgot Husky the Muskie in Kenora, the Icelandic man in Gimli (aka the giant chess piece) and a few others. I've even drunk Muskoka Dry.
What Will Ferguson has given us is a taste of Canada with a sense of humour. One that will make you yearn to hit the road and see this great big country for yourself.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Secret Language of Girls
The Secret Language of Girls by Josey Vogels is the book to buy your best girlfriend for her birthday or Christmas. It is the book to buy your sister for her birthday, Christmas or just because you want to thank her for being there even if she is a pain. This is the book to buy your Mum, just because she was the first woman in your life, and you dressed up in her old dresses and wore her high heels and learnt about being girly from her. This is the book to buy your coworker to thank her for all her support. This is the book you pass along to your girlfriends to read and don't mind when they return it to you dogearred.
This is the book ALL your guy friends MUST read including former lovers and your current beau. It will help them understand us, communicate better with us and open their eyes to our world.
From the first chapter "From the Mouths of Babes" to the last "Long-Term Investment" Josey Vogels hits the nail on the head. I love her quotes at the beginning of the chapters (Be she old, or be she young, A woman's strength is in her tongue--Welsh proverb), the comments from other women and best of all the Secret Language of Girls Glossary (take note of this area men!!!) Here is a small sampling from the glossary....
In Relationships
"Was there something you wanted to watch?": meaning: Are you going to stop and see what's on any of those channels you're frantically flipping past because you're driving me nuts. Now give me the damn remote control before I whack you.
During Sex
"Not tonight": meaning: I'm sorry guy but because you have perpetuated the idea that men are ready for sex anytime you have made me the gatekeeper of sex. But truth be told when I say this it usually means I just require a slightly different seductive approach than you pressing your hard-on into my back when you spoon me.
To Other Women
"Wanna come to the bathroom with me?":meaning: Will you come to the bathroom with me so you can pass me toilet paper under the stall because I will once again pick the only stall that is out of toilet paper or the one with the door that doesn't shut and because the women's washrooms are inevitably 330 miles farther away than the men's and often down some dark hallway down creepy stairs and because I need you to help stave off boredom because women's bathrooms aways have a lineup and I need to borrow your lipstick and gossip about everyone else we're with and update each other on how the evening is going and strategize about how things will unfold and to make sure you don't walk out with a trail of toilet paper stuck to your shoes!
Well worth reading and sharing....and one last note....
When a man gives his opinion, he's a man, When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch -- Bette Davis
This is the book ALL your guy friends MUST read including former lovers and your current beau. It will help them understand us, communicate better with us and open their eyes to our world.
From the first chapter "From the Mouths of Babes" to the last "Long-Term Investment" Josey Vogels hits the nail on the head. I love her quotes at the beginning of the chapters (Be she old, or be she young, A woman's strength is in her tongue--Welsh proverb), the comments from other women and best of all the Secret Language of Girls Glossary (take note of this area men!!!) Here is a small sampling from the glossary....
In Relationships
"Was there something you wanted to watch?": meaning: Are you going to stop and see what's on any of those channels you're frantically flipping past because you're driving me nuts. Now give me the damn remote control before I whack you.
During Sex
"Not tonight": meaning: I'm sorry guy but because you have perpetuated the idea that men are ready for sex anytime you have made me the gatekeeper of sex. But truth be told when I say this it usually means I just require a slightly different seductive approach than you pressing your hard-on into my back when you spoon me.
To Other Women
"Wanna come to the bathroom with me?":meaning: Will you come to the bathroom with me so you can pass me toilet paper under the stall because I will once again pick the only stall that is out of toilet paper or the one with the door that doesn't shut and because the women's washrooms are inevitably 330 miles farther away than the men's and often down some dark hallway down creepy stairs and because I need you to help stave off boredom because women's bathrooms aways have a lineup and I need to borrow your lipstick and gossip about everyone else we're with and update each other on how the evening is going and strategize about how things will unfold and to make sure you don't walk out with a trail of toilet paper stuck to your shoes!
Well worth reading and sharing....and one last note....
When a man gives his opinion, he's a man, When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch -- Bette Davis
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Its Not Really Global Warming
My friend, Clive, lives over the pond in England, Salisbury, Wiltshire to be exact. This isn't very far from Stonehenge or Ashbury (the other round stone site) or the Giant on the Hill. We've been exchanging emails for a number of years now, and he has come to visit twice, although I haven't made it over there since....well its been a long long time since I visited any relatives, and I now have an open invite from Clive.
Over the years we've passed back and forth lots of info, Blair's shame and disgrace in trusting Bush, MP3s of British music, birthday greetings, have mailed Christmas cards, CDs from Britain, Canadian music (thanks to John), etc.
Lately we've been talking about the weather. We had a little heat wave here in Victoria for a few days. England had the same, only it isn't over. The heat is still going on over there. Clive has reported that it hit 37C one day although it felt more like 45C as he rode home on his bike.
Then he reported that a street in Plymouth melted. Just melted away right down to the grit.
Nope....not global warming...at least not according to Bush....
Over the years we've passed back and forth lots of info, Blair's shame and disgrace in trusting Bush, MP3s of British music, birthday greetings, have mailed Christmas cards, CDs from Britain, Canadian music (thanks to John), etc.
Lately we've been talking about the weather. We had a little heat wave here in Victoria for a few days. England had the same, only it isn't over. The heat is still going on over there. Clive has reported that it hit 37C one day although it felt more like 45C as he rode home on his bike.
Then he reported that a street in Plymouth melted. Just melted away right down to the grit.
Nope....not global warming...at least not according to Bush....
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Decisions on my education
Thanks to another blog I have taken a test and discovered that I am on the right track strangely enough...thinking about English or Anthropology as my major. This September I start Anthropology 312, taking another course without the pre-requisites just to challenge my mind.
| You scored as English. You should be an English major! Your passion lies in writing and expressing yourself creatively, and you hate it when you are inhibited from doing so. Pursue that interest of yours!
What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com |
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Money can't buy you love...or happiness...
I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend if it makes you feel alright
I'll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright
'Cause I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
I'll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love, everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love, no no no, no
Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
(McCartney/Lennon)
Science has now confirmed money can't buy you happiness. Go ahead read this article below. I bet the scientists who did this study make more than $100,000.
Your next raise might buy you a more lavish vacation, a better car, or a few extra bedrooms, but it's not likely to buy you much happiness.
Measuring the quality of people's daily lives via surveys, the results of a study published in the June 30 issue of journal Science reveals that income plays a rather insignificant role in day-to-day happiness.
Although most people imagine that if they had more money they could do more fun things and perhaps be happier, the reality seems to be that those with higher incomes tend to be tenser, and spend less time on simple leisurely activities.
Scaling bad mood
In 2004, the researchers developed a survey tool that measures people's quality of daily lives. Then they asked 909 employed women to record the previous day's activities and their feelings towards them.
The study focused on women because the researchers wanted to study a homogeneous group while the surveys were in the early developmental stages.
Recently, the researchers revisited the data from the 2004 and focused on correlating the amount of income with the percentage of time each participant reported as being in a bad mood each day.
It was expected that those who made less than $20,000 a year would spend 32 percent more of their time in a bad mood than those that had an annual income greater than $100,000.
In reality, the low-income group spent only 12 percent more time in a bad mood than their wealthier counterparts. This suggests that the link between income and mood has been perhaps overstated.
The researchers once again surveyed another group of women in 2005. In this study, participants not only recorded their overall satisfaction with life but a moment-to-moment account of their contentment.
The results showed that higher income had less of a correlation with momentary happiness than with overall life satisfaction.
"If people have high income, they think they should be satisfied and reflect that in their answers," said study team member Alan Krueger, an economist from Princeton University. "Income, however, matters very little for moment-to-moment experience."
More chores, less fun
Krueger and colleagues also looked at data from a Bureau of Labor Statistics survey to see how people in different income brackets spent their time.
What they found was that those with higher incomes had more chores and less fun.
They devoted more time to working, commuting, childcare, and shopping and were under more stress and tension than those in lower income brackets.
According to government statistics, men who make more than $100,000 a year spend 19.9 percent of their time on passive leisure activities such as watching television and socializing. Meanwhile, men whose annual income were less than $20,000 spent more than 34 percent of their time dedicated to passive leisure.
Although the correlation between income and life satisfaction is weak, people are highly motivated to increase their income. This illusion may lead to more time spent on activities like commuting while sacrificing time spent on socializing, something that people consider amongst the best moments of their daily life, the researchers said in the study.
The scientists are now conducting a national survey with both male and female sample groups.
* When Money Does Buy Happiness (at what cost??)
* Marriage Brings Wealth, Divorce Steals It (no kidding!!)
* The Keys to Happiness, and Why We Don't Use Them (and laughter is the best medicine)
* Republicans Happier than Democrats (because they know Bush can't run again)
(Yahoo!News)
I'll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright
'Cause I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
I'll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love, everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love, no no no, no
Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
(McCartney/Lennon)
Science has now confirmed money can't buy you happiness. Go ahead read this article below. I bet the scientists who did this study make more than $100,000.
Your next raise might buy you a more lavish vacation, a better car, or a few extra bedrooms, but it's not likely to buy you much happiness.
Measuring the quality of people's daily lives via surveys, the results of a study published in the June 30 issue of journal Science reveals that income plays a rather insignificant role in day-to-day happiness.
Although most people imagine that if they had more money they could do more fun things and perhaps be happier, the reality seems to be that those with higher incomes tend to be tenser, and spend less time on simple leisurely activities.
Scaling bad mood
In 2004, the researchers developed a survey tool that measures people's quality of daily lives. Then they asked 909 employed women to record the previous day's activities and their feelings towards them.
The study focused on women because the researchers wanted to study a homogeneous group while the surveys were in the early developmental stages.
Recently, the researchers revisited the data from the 2004 and focused on correlating the amount of income with the percentage of time each participant reported as being in a bad mood each day.
It was expected that those who made less than $20,000 a year would spend 32 percent more of their time in a bad mood than those that had an annual income greater than $100,000.
In reality, the low-income group spent only 12 percent more time in a bad mood than their wealthier counterparts. This suggests that the link between income and mood has been perhaps overstated.
The researchers once again surveyed another group of women in 2005. In this study, participants not only recorded their overall satisfaction with life but a moment-to-moment account of their contentment.
The results showed that higher income had less of a correlation with momentary happiness than with overall life satisfaction.
"If people have high income, they think they should be satisfied and reflect that in their answers," said study team member Alan Krueger, an economist from Princeton University. "Income, however, matters very little for moment-to-moment experience."
More chores, less fun
Krueger and colleagues also looked at data from a Bureau of Labor Statistics survey to see how people in different income brackets spent their time.
What they found was that those with higher incomes had more chores and less fun.
They devoted more time to working, commuting, childcare, and shopping and were under more stress and tension than those in lower income brackets.
According to government statistics, men who make more than $100,000 a year spend 19.9 percent of their time on passive leisure activities such as watching television and socializing. Meanwhile, men whose annual income were less than $20,000 spent more than 34 percent of their time dedicated to passive leisure.
Although the correlation between income and life satisfaction is weak, people are highly motivated to increase their income. This illusion may lead to more time spent on activities like commuting while sacrificing time spent on socializing, something that people consider amongst the best moments of their daily life, the researchers said in the study.
The scientists are now conducting a national survey with both male and female sample groups.
* When Money Does Buy Happiness (at what cost??)
* Marriage Brings Wealth, Divorce Steals It (no kidding!!)
* The Keys to Happiness, and Why We Don't Use Them (and laughter is the best medicine)
* Republicans Happier than Democrats (because they know Bush can't run again)
(Yahoo!News)
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