Myself and I
Got a newsletter this morning promoting a new website where you can attempt to manufacture... well, yourself. Kind of weird. Even weirder that I can't add glasses. Oh well. I was meaning to wear my contacts more often anyway :)
Totally reminded me of Erin and Jer in their newlywed days. These two created a character in The Sims to resemble me as closely as they could, then inserted computerized versions of guys I knew onto my street - then played God a little and stepped back to watch what happened. Very funny, and just evil enough to be charming.
I came thisclose to making my Meez do the Thriller dance. Or kiss Brad Pitt. But I thought that showing myself at work, drinking coffee would be the most authentic. Though I must say, I think our offices are cooler (minus this wicked view).
Labels: Stuff I Found Online
Wednesday Smile
Flipping through the Free Press during my lunch break today, I saw a picture of a girl I recognized right away. She was a student in the Performing Arts class I taught at Grant Park - waaay back in my B.Ed student teaching days. The story was talking about the research being done at U of M to discover more about the social implications of Asperger Syndrome, the form of autism that this girl has.
The article made my eyes fill up with happy tears, because she is 21 now - and she's very happily working on her anthropology degree at U of W, hoping to become an archeologist.
Just another lesson in perseverance and potential. I am so proud of her. We just don't get to hear success stories often enough.
Labels: Current Events, My Life
Inside and Out
I did it, world. I went to the gym last night.
Honestly? It was hard. I sat in my car in the parking lot for a minute or two, working up the courage to go inside. And by the time I was halfway through my workout, I was exhausted and wanting to quit. But I didn't. I did every single machine, I just worked some of them slowly - I figured it was better than nothing.
After I survived the gym, I did something else for me: I went over to Anja's place for tea. It was so good. She is one of those friends who you can have a three-hour, totally real conversation with - and you're totally shocked that three hours have passed.
So, I'm feeling like I did a whole bunch of good things for Lindsay yesterday. My body is a little sore - but mostly a good, 'hey, you worked out!' sore. And my heart is happy.
(Whatever happened to Feist? I love this song...)
Labels: Arthritis/Fibromyalgia, My Friends, My Life
Happy Thoughts
My motivational thought for the day, courtesy of
ChronicBabe.com:
I think it's very common for us as young women to idealize our finest moment, and feel like we're letting others down - or even worse, ourselves - when we can't do everything we once did.
It's completely normal to mourn that loss. And that's exactly what it is: a loss. It sucks! We miss being that girl - the one who can do anything she can imagine. Who wouldn't want to be that girl?
But at some point, you have to let her go. She's not you. She's a former you. It's time to focus on who you are today and embrace that girl. She's still awesome! I bet she can still do a lot of cool stuff. And she's surely still a hottie.
Each day you wish you could be your "old" self will make you feel like a failure. But each day you exercise compassion for your "new" self - each day you embrace your current abilities - you'll appreciate every accomplishment even more.
And when you think of that ideal girl - the "old" you - do you think she would want you to be held back by some unattainable ideal, or self-pity? I bet you a million bucks she wouldn't. She'd probably grab you by the shoulders, look you straight in the eye, and let you have it.
Read the entire article here.-
And with that... I'm going to the gym. Yep, you heard me. THE GYM.
I'm feeling a little apprehensive about this plan, mostly because I haven't been there in a really, really long time. I was getting so discouraged, watching these chubby old women run circles around me - and immediately bursting into tears upon reaching the safety of my car, feeling sorry for myself about all the things that don't come easily anymore, crying out every (fluid) ounce of frustration over this old lady's body that I've somehow become trapped in.
But you know what? I can do almost every machine - and I choose to focus on that, not on those two machines that are too hard for me. I choose not to care what the other girls at the gym think when I work those machines slowly or skip them altogether. I choose not to care that I'm only maintaining my pounds and inches, and not actually losing any.
Because, despite all my quirks and flaws, I'm still kind of a superfox.
Labels: Arthritis/Fibromyalgia, Happy Thoughts, My Life
Excessive Musings of a Domestic Diva
I did something CRAZY this month... I switched brands of laundry soap. And I made it count because not only did I switch brands, I switched forms - from powder to liquid.
You don't understand. I have used the same kind of laundry soap since I first moved out of my parents' house six years ago. And it was the same kind my mom used. But in a fit of rebellion, I leaped outside my comfort zone and I took the plunge. And I'm not going back. Because you know what? I don't like powdered laundry soap. I didn't know that until this month, but I don't. I like pouring the liquid stuff into the cap, and I especially like the satisfying way it goops all over my dry, dirty clothes.
It's funny what you learn about yourself, after you've been on your own for a while. It turns out that I prefer the orange scented dish soap to any other kind. I hate the kind that smells like apples.
And it's not limited to soap :)
I love washing the dishes, but I hate to dry them. I don't like to vacuum. I can tolerate clutter almost anywhere - but not on my kitchen counter. I hate folding clothes. I especially hate matching up socks. I seriously enjoy the occasional purge of my refrigerator - it's so satisfying to see it sparkly clean and organized. I love cooking and - much to my surprise - I actually kind of like going to the grocery store.
There are a hundred thousand quirky little things I hate and a hundred thousand quirky little things I love. But they all fall into the category of 'things I didn't know about myself when I was eighteen.'
And that, friends, is a quirky little thing I love.
Labels: My Life, Nothing Important
Sign of the Times
Okay, seriously... What's with the church signs? Where did they come from? Who decided that every church in America must have a sign posted outside its front door with a mildly clever pun? And that's really being kind.
No really, guys. I'm sure that people are drawn into a church simply because of your witty marketing tactics. Souls will be reached!
I passed one this weekend that was one of the worst I've seen in a long time: Come in for a faith lift.
A few other recent winners:
- Prevent truth decay. Read your Bible daily.
- We have a prophet sharing plan.
- And the classic: CH _ _ CH. What's missing? UR!
You know what? I have to stop. They are just too awful.
Let's end this on a high note, with a brief nod to clever signage. I have to mention a little situation on Anja's street that makes me break into a full-on grin... There's a house nearby that's sported a neon light in a second-storey window for years. The light reads 'homo.'
Recently, the house across the street invested in a similar neon sign. Theirs reads 'skim.'
Well played, mates.
Labels: Nothing Important
At Home in the Modern World
Woohoo! Dwell has totally revamped their website - and it's awesome. You can revel in its majesty at Dwell.com. I'm a lover of their little publication... Other than the fact that I ordered a subscription for The Boy in November, and he has yet to receive his first issue... Grrr. Just think of all the friendly modern design he's missing!
Labels: Stuff I Found Online
32 Questions
1. What time did you get up this morning?
7:30ish
2. Diamonds or pearls?
Both ;)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Music & Lyrics, a delightfully generic romantic comedy about the 80s... what could be better?!
4. What is your favorite TV show?
The Office, Miami Ink, Video on Trial, The O.C. (sniff), house-flipping and reno shows
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Coffee. Oh, did you mean FOOD? Well, sometimes oatmeal. And I'm a big fan of the classic cheap diner breakfast special (scrambled, whole wheat, and bacon, please).
6. What is your favorite cuisine?
Italian (mmm... carbs!)
7. What is your middle name?
Marie (same as my mom)
8. What food do you dislike?
Any seafood that tastes fishy, or basically anything that's really messy to eat
9. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
The Cranberries - No Need to Argue
10. What kind of car do you drive?
Red
11. Favorite sandwich?
Right now, I'm into Southwest Chicken from the Pita Pit. Or my shared guilty pleasure with Christine: BLTs from Princess Grill.
12. What characteristic do you despise?
Dishonesty. Sneakiness. An inability to take responsibility.
13. Favorite item of clothing?
Superfox Jeans and bitchy-looking high heels that make lots of noise
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be and
with who?
I'd continue exploring Europe - probably Italy next - and I'm pleading the fifth on the second part of that question for now
15. What color is your bathroom?
None, they are both that nasty, apartment-coloured whitey beige
16. Favorite brand of clothing?
That I can afford? Esprit
17. Where would you retire to?
No idea. Close to people I love, and people I love to terrorize (hey, I'll be bored without work to fill my time!).
18. What was your most memorable birthday?
25 - in Montreal with Emily and Christine, and finally getting my tattoo
19. Favorite sport to watch?
Hockey
20. Furthest place you are sending this?
I don't believe in torturing others. Though I want my fellow bloggers to *voluntarily* submit their own responses :)
21. When is your birthday?
July 5, 1981 @ 09.09
22. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Depends
23. What is your shoe size?
8.5
24. Pets?
Nope, not since Fish died
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
I don't think so... Oh, our website for Oi finally launched today!
www.iLikeOi.com
26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A teacher and a soccer mom
27. How are you today?
Okay. Pretty sore muscles and skin today. Trying not to absorb the stress of others. Trying to finish work on time so I can go to Sophie's birthday party.
28. What are your favorite lollies?
Red
29. What is your favorite flower?
Tulips
30. What is a date on the calendar you are looking forward to?
Lots! Some concerts coming up. Heading out to BC in May. Jason's wedding. My birthday. Officially marking one year with Geoff.
31. Are you married?
Nope
32. Do you like your job?
Yes, other than the moments when it feels like I'm having a heart attack. And, honestly, sometimes I kind of secretly enjoy those moments too. I know. I'm sick. I work in advertising.
Labels: My Life, Stuff I Found Online
Home Again
A quick shout-out and welcome home to Baden, who's back in town for a couple of weeks. Not sure why you've decided that palm trees and beaches are better than snowbanks and windchill warnings, but to each his own.
A particularly unflattering shot, taken the last time Baden was in Winnipeg. Sadly, one of the better pictures he has of me... :P
Labels: My Friends
Type A
The other night, we got on the topic of personality types. The idea of labelling and grouping people into neat little categories feels a little bit funny to me. But some classifications are obvious. See, I'm obviously a Type A personality. And I rather obviously lean toward the Choleric. But those are easy, and they only tell you a little bit about who I am.
Last year, when I was working with a career counsellor, I had to complete some pretty extensive testing to try to pigeonhole me - and I think it might have worked. When I got my Myers-Briggs score back from the tester, I was pretty weirded out.
Turns out I'm a pretty neat little ENFJ. Which means that I'm... Oprah. There were some very funny observations on the internet when I googled my 'type.' And some that were just a little bit uncomfortable. All my secrets were laid bare for the world to see - which is something that I hate quite legitimately, given my personality type. Argh. See what I mean?!
Oh, and the number one job for an ENFJ? Advertising account executive :)
Labels: My Life, Stuff I Found Online
Now Renting
Thought I'd put the word out there that I'm in the market for roommates again - beginning May 1 - at the lovely house I rent in St. Boniface. (Note that I'm cutting back from three roommates to two, to give everyone some room to breathe.)
It's a cool house, around 1300 square feet split up over six levels with two bathrooms and in-suite laundry and storage. And it's within easy walking distance of The Forks, some great gelati places on Provencher, and within spitting distance of several Folklorama pavilions in August.
If you - or someone you know - might be interested, please send me an email for information on price and length of contract.
Thanks!
Labels: My Life
ChronicBabe.com
Super huge thanks to Geoff and Marilyn, who've turned me on to a new website,
ChronicBabe. It's a website full of resources and support for young women who live with chronic disease - and it's all positive and really upbeat, which is such a nice change! It's run by a 25 year old with fibromyalgia. Just a few minutes on the site filled me with hope and smiles.
An excerpt:
I realized the choice I'd made in that moment was to protect myself... When I argue with a naysayer, I get emotional, my body gets tense, and then I hurt. It was a choice between arguing with her (to no great end) and having it ruin my night, or ending the moment and having a great time. I chose the great time. And it was a good choice in the moment, because I should make the choice to take care of myself. Who wants to hurt all night because of an argument with some jerk? This morning, looking back, I kind of wish I had argued with her, explained that I'm one of those awful, wretched souls for whom she clearly has no compassion. And shock of shocks - I'm also a successful, happy, fulfilled person, one who contributes to society, one who deserves to have her dreams come true. Oh, and bite me.
Clearly, I'm not the only one who's felt this way. I feel so... NORMAL.
Labels: Arthritis, My Life, Stuff I Found Online
Oi to the World
Toronto's Interior Design Show (IDS) begins tomorrow - and our little Oi is all grown up and being featured as a Prototype competition finalist. I spent the morning putting final touches on our sparkly new media kits, Craig jumps on a plane this afternoon, and the boys are preparing to launch Oi's new website in the morning.
Definitely good busy. It would be even better busy if we managed to win! As a matter of fact, two of the ten finalists are from Winnipeg. It's really great to see this city represented in the design scene, being acknowledged for good work and great ideas.
Maybe soon people will stop making fun of us :)
Labels: Cocoon, My Life
Boggle
Last month, the National Post revealed the list of finalists and a winner for their 2007 'word of the year' - contributed by readers. I was greatly amused.
Commutiny: n.
The phenomenon of citizens overthrowing building proposals in their area. "The new Tofino Wal-Mart was blocked by a commutiny."
Fivebucks: n.
A synonym for a popular chain of coffee shops at which damn near everything costs a minimum of five dollars. "You can beat Fivebucks by ordering a short Americano."
Hangry: adj.
The state of crabbiness that sets in when you haven't eaten. "Of course Ryan snapped at you. He hadn't eaten in six hours and was deeply hangry."
Mung: n.
A listless, non-specific depressed feeling that leads to just sitting in a cafe, drinking coffee and sighing quietly to one's self.
Smallitics: n.
Petty character assassination of those running for public office that almost always leads to the victim getting elected. (e.g. Kim Campbell making fun of Jean Chretien's facial tic; the comparison of Olivia Chow to a dog.)
Waltzheimer's: n.
Forgetting how to dance. "Sadly, I overcame my waltzheimer's at the company Christmas party."
And the 2007 winner...
Wuzzam: v.
A response to a question indicating that you were and still are in the same condition. Q. "I heard you were a model?" A. "Wuzzam."
Labels: Stuff I Found Online
Winter Wonderland
I stepped out my front door this morning into five or six inches of fluffy white snow. Craning my neck, I saw that my car was absolutely buried. And I was mad about the inconvenience. But a funny thing happened while I was brushing off the snow from my windows... I stopped, and I looked around. It was absolutely beautiful outside. The world was brilliant white, and the tree branches were sparkling.
When did I become someone who gets upset when it snows?! I hereby resolve to change.
Labels: My Life
Clean for a Cause
To raise money for my upcoming Joints in Motion marathon, I'm planning to hold an Indoor Yard & Bake Sale on Saturday, March 31 in Niverville.
Please take a look around your house this month and consider what you'd love to de-clutter, big and small. It's a perfect opportunity to do some spring cleaning and empty out your closets for a good cause. Remember... It's tacky to re-gift, but it's classy to donate that gift to charity ;)
Give me a call if you'd like someone to pick up your donations in advance, otherwise you can drop them off in Niverville the night before the sale.
Thanks in advance, and happy pre-spring cleaning!
Labels: Events, Joints in Motion, My Life
Happy Day
Happy Birthday, Jessie! :)
Labels: Family
Treasure Hunting
I am normally not a finder of good deals. My mennonite ancestors would be ashamed. I live up to very few of the stereotypes - if any. But I must say that I did VERY well at the Chapters sales tables last week.
For $22, I (legally) walked away with:
- Design in Canada
- The Darling
- A book on Modern Art
- A book on Impressionism
- The Best Time to do Everything
Between that and my post-Christmas book buying binge (the Jennifer Weiner short story book, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, and a few other goodies), I've got enough to keep me happy for at least a couple more weeks. In any case, they help to fill that annoying gap in time between Conan's opening monologue and the start of The Daily Show.
I read The Memory Keeper's Daughter this weekend, cover to cover (one of the only benefits of illness). I do not remember the last time that happened, but let me tell you - it was glorious. I only wish I'd been healthy enough to truly enjoy the moment.
Finishing one book certainly means that I can justify yet another book purchase. Now if only I had a library to keep them all in... ;)
Labels: My Life
Sick, Sick Girl
My official list of things that do not help to stop coughing:
- Cough suppressant drops
- Lying down
- Sitting up
- Those antiseptic anesthetic drops
- Codeine
- Steaming my head
- Tylenol Cold
- NeoCitran Cough & Cold
- Benylin 'Dry Cough' syrup
... or any combination thereof.
My sweet boyfriend did his best to make me happy and take my mind off my misery. I'm lucky to be with him, on February 14 or any other day. He brought me chocolates, took care of my car, and attempted to distract me with a movie (that I coughed my way through). Alas, I've been home and in bed since just before 10 pm - following my stop-off at Safeway for more cold-fighting supplies. Oh well.
Here's hoping I can manufacture some sort of pause in my coughing tonight, just long enough to doze off once or twice. I don't think it's asking too much...
Labels: My Life
Tiggerific
Awww... Look what I just got from my mom :)
Labels: Family, My Life
Dinner and a Show
Most of you who know me in real life know that I am a people watcher. I love to observe what's going on around me, and make up stories in my head (or out loud) about what's going on. I guess people's jobs, their relationship status, where they live. I guess what they are thinking about. I even make little bets with myself on which store they'll walk into or which car is theirs.
Last night, having dinner with Geoff, we experienced people watching at its finest. First, I noticed something very interesting going on two tables over from ours. It was a middle-aged couple, and the woman was clearly dabbing at her eyes with a napkin with a stony expression on her face. She abruptly jumped up and beelined toward the bathroom - and didn't return for at least ten minutes. When she emerged, her eyes were red and puffy, and she grabbed her jacket without a word to the man who appeared to be her husband. She left the restaurant without him, and he quickly shrugged on his jacket and scampered to catch up with her. I was fascinated. I actually came very close to making my own little trip to the bathroom, because you know how girls work. She'd be crying and trying to fix her runny mascara in the mirror, and it wouldn't take much for me to ask if she was okay and coax the short version out of her. I almost did, because I really wanted to know! And she looked so very sad.
Anyway. I came up with two options. Either he told her that he'd be taking a promotion and moving to Calgary, without her and the kids, and that they'd see how the separation worked out. Or they were separated already, and he asked her to dinner but she got her hopes up and thought they were getting back together... until he told her about his new girlfriend.
A few minutes later, a party of people came in and there was a very loud CRASH when one of the men sat down and his chair literally splintered beneath him. He ended up sitting in the floor, looking very surprised. Again, kind of hard to ignore.
In any case, a very entertaining evening. The performances almost managed to distract me from the fact that I feel absolutely miserable. I don't think I slept more than two hours last night, and not all at the same time - whenever I lie down, I break into these ridiculous coughing fits that make my ribs ache. And it's kind of tricky to sleep sitting up, though I eventually did. Here's hoping I cough myself into exhaustion tonight.
Labels: My Life
Dear Ricola, Love Lindsay
So, I pretty much have the plague and I'm dying. My doctor didn't use EXACTLY those words, but it's what he meant. And it's how I feel. In any case, I'm on antibiotics now, and waiting to feel better soon.
I tried to cheer myself up last night my focusing on people who are less fortunate than I am. TLC had a show on about a family of people who have lobster claw hands. I flipped to that channel, thinking that I was definitely better off than people with lobster claw hands. But it turned out that they were pretty happy and fully functional, so I ended up feeling worse than ever when I realized that I was worse off than the lobster claw family.
I feel more human today, but I'm coughing and really annoying my co-workers. I ran out at lunchtime to pick up a cough suppressant so that they'd like me again, but it's not suppressing my cough. At all. In fact, I think I'm coughing MORE than I was this morning. And now I smell like menthol. So I went online and wrote a letter of complaint to Ricola about their lousy product. That made me feel a little better. But it didn't cure my cough.
So, we're pretty much gearing up for the sexiest Valentine's Day ever - with my puffy, swollen eyes, a very alluring eau de menthol scent, and pausing every few seconds to cough up phlegm :)
L
Labels: My Life
Monday Morning
Ugh. I should not be at work today.
I woke up this morning and realized that I was full-on, bona fide SICK. I got in to see my doctor at 4 pm today, but that sounds like an eternity from now. At this moment, I really want to be in bed sleeping. It's that full-body sick: fever, shaky, achy, burning eyes, painful throat, coughing, stuffy. And you'd imagine that - after three full weeks of this - I'd be getting better, not worse. Definitely time to seek medical attention.
My weekend was rather full and eventful. I spent Friday and Saturday at Rock Lake with a bunch of young adults and a few 'grown-ups' from my church. It was good to take some time to relax and hang out, and I definitely enjoying watching people try to seriously injure themselves on the tobogganing hill. Let's just say that some of the guys decided we'd been lacking speed in previous years. And so two of them (Jeff and MY DAD) took it upon themselves to create their own snow vehicles. Words cannot describe. And so I'll try to post some videos this week. The crashes were spectacular, to say the very least.
I decided to watch and laugh instead of participating - I didn't want to be sick today. Ironically, many of the wounded from Saturday's misadventures are likely in much better shape than I am :)
Labels: My Life
In Times of War
So I receive, among other things, a weekly email with all the Advertising headlines from the New York Times. This week's email headline made me giggle: Any Fresher, and it Might be Banned in Boston.
Anyway. I thought one of this week's stories was interesting...
Super Bowl Ads of Cartoonish Violence, Perhaps Reflecting Toll of War
by Stewart Elliott
No commercial that appeared last night during Super Bowl XLI directly addressed Iraq, unlike a patriotic spot for Budweiser beer that ran during the game two years ago. But the ongoing war seemed to linger just below the surface of many of this year’s commercials.
More than a dozen spots celebrated violence in an exaggerated, cartoonlike vein that was intended to be humorous, but often came across as cruel or callous.
For instance, in a commercial for Bud Light beer, sold by Anheuser-Busch, one man beat the other at a game of rock, paper, scissors by throwing a rock at his opponent’s head.
In another Bud Light spot, face-slapping replaced fist-bumping as the cool way for people to show affection for one another. In a FedEx commercial, set on the moon, an astronaut was wiped out by a meteor. In a spot for Snickers candy, sold by Mars, two co-workers sought to prove their masculinity by tearing off patches of chest hair.
There was also a bank robbery (E*Trade Financial), fierce battles among office workers trapped in a jungle (CareerBuilder), menacing hitchhikers (Bud Light again) and a clash between a monster and a superhero reminiscent of a horror movie (Garmin).
-
Here's something fun - a look at
Super Bowl ads through the ages.
Labels: Advertising, Stuff I Found Online
Sweet Surprise
Okay, I had been having a super-grouchy day today. Probably not helped by the fact that I didn't really have lunch, because I forgot to pack one and I refuse to spend any more time outside than I must. But someone just stopped by my office with some absolutely gorgeous 'just because' flowers.
How can you be grouchy after that?!
L
Labels: My Life
They're Baaaack
Last night, Kevin and Jessica hosted a gift opening party at their new house. My whole family was there (sans Geoff and Cait, both working) and most of Kevin's family, plus three sets of grandparents.
I saw them for a few minutes when they stopped in on their way home from the airport, but it was really nice to see them at home, getting all set up in their new shared space. The house is HUGE for two people, but I suppose it's a good way to begin a life together - with space to retreat. They are both so happy and relaxed, it was just so great to see.
Oh, and they brought back an amazing green wrap for me from Mexico :)
The best part? They served leftover cakes from Baked Expectations that we threw in the freezer right after their wedding reception. How can an evening with cheesecake go wrong?
L
Labels: Family, Jessica's Wedding, My Life
Darwin's Nightmare
In case anyone's interested...
FILM SCREENING: DARWIN’S NIGHTMARE
A Look at the Human Face of Globalization
The myriad and altogether devastating effects of a "globalized" economy on the residents of a Tanzanian fishing village are depicted in this haunting, hard-hitting documentary. The Nile Perch has become a major export for the dinner tables of two million Europeans every day, yet the people who live in Mwanza are starving, and the planes that export the popular fish also deliver weapons back to Africa.
With a roving eye and an attentive heart, this film takes in everyone involved in this miasma, from the crew members of the cargo planes to the prostitutes who "service" them; from the homeless children who fight over scraps of food to the fishermen who live in encampments where AIDS is rampant.
112 min. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary (2005).
Thursday, February 8
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Theatre 1L13, University of Winnipeg
(Main floor, by Ellice entrance to U of W)
Free Admission
Labels: Events
No Place Like Home
It was so good for me to spend a little time at 'home' this weekend.
('home' = my parents' place)
My mom commented the other day that I have an undeniable ability to take any place where I live and make it feel warm and inviting. The obvious exception is my current house. I won't say home, because it's not. And that's really been getting to me lately.
I'm not a homebody, but I need the place that I come home to to be home. I miss my space and quiet moments. I miss having the freedom to play piano and paint whenever the mood strikes me. But most of all, I miss having the home where everybody congregates. I've always been the person who hosts everything, from parties to games nights to impromptu late-night movie screenings. I love having my house full of friends - and that's something that's just not possible with our house so full already, just with the people who actually live there.
I know this is just my phase of life right now, but it's making me kind of claustrophobic lately.
I'm going to blame it on the weather. You know it's bad when the time it takes to walk from your car to your office is greater than the amount of time the weatherperson said it would take for your skin to freeze.
These days always remind me of that classic Simpsons line:
'Winnipeg. We were born here, what's your excuse?'
L
Labels: My Life
Weekend Update
I ended up hanging out with my mom on Friday while I was off sick. She had an admin day (stupid people who work in education). We watched 'The Family Stone' again, sat in their hot tub, flipped through travel books for Greece, and I popped pills like a crazy person whose sole purpose in life is to get healthy again.
On Saturday, Geoff and I joined Aaron, Cait, and a few friends for the screening of the LIA winners at the Art Gallery. There's something brilliant about watching an hour and a half of great commercials. And there were some great ones... I was particularly amused by the spot for the International Panda Rescue Organization.
And yesterday afternoon, Alison hosted a shower for Mel and baby Malakai. It was fun to see some people I don't usually get a chance to hang out with, and - like any good girl party - there was a ton of great food.
Last night at young adults, Kris lead a discussion on the topic of love. I've been thinking about it all day... When you realize that your whole purpose on this earth is to love, everything kind of gets put into perspective, doesn't it? Overwhelming, because it doesn't feel like our world is full of love - just watching the news this morning got me sad again. I don't have any answers. But when I was walking to work this morning, a car braked at a green light to let me cross the street so that I didn't have to wait any extra time in the cold.
So maybe there's some love left after all. It's not extravagant or flashy or even very obvious. But sometimes that's what makes it so beautiful.
L
Labels: Advertising, My Life
Sick and Tired
I hate being sick. Like, REALLY hate being sick. And I'm sick. And that sucks.
How sick, you ask? I actually took a whole, entire sick day yesterday. Granted, I did a bunch of stuff from home. But still - I stayed away from the office all day. Don't underestimate the significance of that :)
I'm going to attempt to venture out into the real world today. I'm definitely better than yesterday. But now I'm healthy enough to realize all the things on my to-do list that I do not have energy to take care of: returning about a month's worth of emails, laundry, and about a million other things that are important.
L
Labels: My Life
To Err is Human, or Mooninites Attack!
From AdAge.com:
The fallout from yesterday's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" bomb scare in Boston continues, with Turner Broadcasting doing its best to apologize for a marketing stunt gone terribly awry.
Cartoon Network issued an apology during last night's Adult Swim lineup, when "Aqua Teen" airs in its 15-minute form. "We never intended or designed this to be a marketing stunt to create concern," said Shirley Powell, a spokeswoman for the channel's parent company, Turner Broadcasting. "It was simply a promotion for a TV show. If we had perceived this as threatening, it never would have been implemented."
Ms. Powell added that Turner is in discussions with Boston officials regarding reparations to the city, which are believed to amount to $750,000.
Two arrests have been made in the investigation: Boston residents Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28. Lawyers told the two not to discuss their involvement in the case in a press conference today, so they instead frustrated journalists with a three-minute discussion on the history of hair. A YouTube video surfaced today detailing their efforts to place the Lite-Brite-like panels depicting the show's Mooninite characters on the streets of Boston.
The campaign was discontinued by Cartoon Network and its agency, Interference, whose executives have not spoken to the press and were not believed to be in their New York offices today. A spokeswoman for the Boston attorney general's office said the police investigation is ongoing and no one else has been named in the criminal proceedings.
-This is just too bizarre. And a HOT topic of discussion in the office today, especially when we searched YouTube and found footage of the 'don't panic, but we're under attack' television appearance by Boston's mayor.
If anyone's interested, you can buy one of these LED tags of your very own (or at least a half-decent replication) on eBay today. Or a t-shirt that looks a little something like this. Incidentally, now tiled as my laptop wallpaper :)
Labels: Advertising, Current Events, Stuff I Found Online
