Golden ReBeaver

Let me tell you a story about the Beaver.
It likes to have things just so.
It works hard to build its quaint little dam, each stick placed just right. It stops the rushing water and creates a very calm, safe pool for itself. It doesn't want to be on the shore with the wild creatures, and it builds its house just above the water so that the gross fish won't touch it, and makes a roof for itself so that the birds don't poop on it.
The Beaver is very content with its safe, gaurded, particular little life.
If something scary happens to come by... SLAP! The Beaver will hit its tail and then dissapear into the water. After a while its little eyes might come above the water surface and check for danger. If its safe, the Beaver will go back to work.

I'm pretty sure most of you have probably taken that personality test that sorts you into one of four different categories: Lion, Otter, Beaver, or Golden Retriever.
Lion is the dominant, (often insensitive) leader, with an eye for the "big picture".
Otter is the happy-go-lucky, scatterbrained entertainer with a gazillion friends.
Beaver is the meticulous, (often artistic) planner, who doesn't like any ripples in its pond.
Golden Retriever is the faithful peacekeeper, who will let people walk all over them in an effort to make everyone happy.

This is of course only a brief summary.

For Staff Training this week, a couple came in and gave a few talks on these personalities and how they effect us in a camp setting. They also spoke on conflict and how the personalities typically react to it (the story above was an illustration they used).
I've already read alot on the subject but it was awesome to hear what they had to say, and it helped me understand myself better, and explained a little of why I react to some people the way I do.
I am a pretty even mix of the Golden Retriever and the Beaver (or so I've been told). The Beaver story describes me pretty well I think. But there's more.
As a Beaver, I'm ready and willing to knaw down some trees.
Lions, however seem to think they know best, and they like to push people around. And who better to push around then some peace-loving Beaver? But this Beaver doesn't want to share her tree and she resents some mangy Lion with flesh-eating fangs telling her how to chew it down.
IF I happen to take a misguided bite and my tree isn't quite perfect for the dam, I will probably chew myself out, and the last thing I need is for that presumtious puss to tell me that its no good. My perfectionist Beaver-y heart is very sensitive to criticism, and I will probably hop in the water, slap my tail, and go hide for a bit.
Then when the Lion is gone I'll cautiosly nibble another tree, and be a bit more careful about how I do it.
But while that Lion is on the prowl, I seem to bare my buckteeth....

From a safe distance.

Adventures with Brownies

Brownies are one of the greatest chocolately creations. Gooey, and chewy, and dark, and good. Best of all, it can be coupled with other fantastic flavors.
I'm in the process of exploring the many brownies of this world.
There are Butterscoth Brownies, Double Brownies, Extra Chocolate Brownies, Mint Brownies, Cream Cheesey Brownies, Mocha Brownies, and Brownies rolled into a ball and dipped in melted chocolate (a favorite around here).
Recently I discovered a new kind of brownie. I believe I am possibly the only person ever to have made them. ever.
You think I'm arrogant to say so?
Well it happened by accident, if that will convince you.
It began innocently enough.
I was following the best basic brownie recipe I have yet stumbled upon. Very straight forward.
Vegetable oil, and cocoa, and flour, and sugar...
Only instead of using the sugar we keep up front, I was lazy and used the store of sugar we keep in a green bin in the back.
Well as I was mixing it, it looked lumpy and gross and I was feeling rather dubious about it.
However, I went over the recipe checking for missed ingredients and I had put everything in, so I popped it in the oven and assumed some time alone would do it some good.
15 minutes. It hadn't risen at all. I put it in for 5 more. Beeper goes. Still no good. I thought maybe the ovens had gone on the blink or something and the inconsistent heat had ruined it. Eventually, when it had been in there for a good 30/35 minutes I pulled it out and let it cool.
Then I went in for the kill. As long as it tastes good, who cares what it looks like, right?
I sliced a little off the corner and popped it in my mouth.


I cannot describe to you how revolting, nauseating, and utterly disgusting the experience was!
Unbeknownst to me (though you may have guessed), the green bin was full of salt, not sugar!
I gagged, and spat, and washed my mouth out and shook my fist at those terrible salty burnt pieces of putresence, and then threw them to the pigs.

And then like a good little baker I whipped up a second batch and steered clear of the deceitful green bin.

And they were fabulous chewy moist brownies.

The end.

Sailing, ahoy!

The heavy rain we had on Saturday had us worried.
An all-day staff sailing trip was planned for Sunday, and we didn't want to spend 12-14 hours shivering and soaking wet on the boat.
5 AM Sunday morning rolled around, chilly and overcast. We donned numerous layers of flannel and waterproof coats, and trudged down to the docks.
We were divided onto four boats, and I landed on the San Christi with a solid crew including my kitchen partner in crime, Barb.
By 6 AM we were motoring out of Gowlland Harbour, nibbling large muffins and slurping yogurt without spoons.
This was a big day for me, because I'd never actually been sailing before. I was pretty stoked.
The first few hours weren't too eventful. Basically we talked and a few crept below deck to catch a few more winks. Out of boredom we invented pirate names: Long Jill Silver, Barnacle Barb, and our worthy Captain Rusty Richard. Zoe went by her last name, Salty Schroeder, while her boyfriend became known as Mollusk Matt. Victoria the Vicious and the Ferocious (Jenna) Falk were also on board.
These titles were especially handy when the winds picked up and we entered the Surge Narrows which were laden with rapids! In dramatic Hollywood style, the skies burst open and the rain fell hard and fast as the boat was hurled into whirlpools.
"Hold fast Barnacle Barb!"
"Orders, Cap'n Rusty!"
"Steady on Salty Schroeder!"
I had a knack for toppling nearly overboard, so Jenna tied me to the mast during the stormiest part. (In fact I had several near-death experiences)
After the worst of it, the sun came out and it got really warm. My face was burnt red as a tomato at the end of the day, with two pale circles around my eyes where my glasses had protected me. It was very attractive.
We had pretty steady wind all day though, and it was a thoroughly successful sailing trip. We arrived back at camp at around 7 PM wind-blown, sore, and exhausted...but very happy.
There were lots of pictures taken, so one day when hi-speed becomes available to me once again, I'll upload them for you!

I Never Liked Tag

I've been tagged and have decided to play along. Here are the rules… Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog.

1. I have never owned a pair of sunglasses in my life! It used to be because I always wore glasses, but now that I have contacts, its because I look stupid in them.

2. I'm a sucky conversationalist, espeically with people I don't know well. I love chatting with people who like to talk because then the pressure is off.

3. I have a strong hatred for "crocs" or "hole-y soles". I think they are the most hideous creation for the feet since someone decided it was acceptable to wear socks with sandals.

4. Old Disney movies bring me much joy. Robin Hood, 101 Dalmations, and Mulan are a few faves. I still watch them.

5. I love stuff for houses. I could spent eons browsing through HomeSense, Home Outfitters, etc.

6. My hair is falling out by the handfuls. When I wash my hair, my hands get covered. Yuk! What is wrong with me?

7. I heart corderoy (is that how you spell it?). Such a comfortable fabric.

Pretty much everyone has been tagged already and since I hate doing this I won't make anyone else do it either :)

Do you know Joe?

Foreword:
This is a trivial, frivolous, fluff post, which may seem awkward due to the more serious nature of it's precedessor. Its the only way I know how to get back into blogging...so too bad.

A fifteen-minute ferry-ride away from Quadra there is a small sea-side town called Campbell River. This town is small, and is located by the sea.
Did I mention that it is small?
For us Homewood staff without vehicles it seems even smaller because we can only go places that can be easily reached on foot. The main attraction is the extremely large Superstore that is a five-minute walk from the ferry.
The Superstore is AMAZING. It has everything a camp counsellor/cook could need: food, housewares, toys, cards, books, and most importantly-- clothing!
That's right folks. You may still be caught in the past when "Stupidstore" only carried cheap Higher State or other lame brand name clothing. The kind of stuff that wears out after a few washes and is just plain silly all the rest of the time.Not to mention overpriced.
Well its time to rethink your prejudices on Superstore clothes shopping, because now they carry "Joe".
Joe has taste, style, and class. From skirts and spring dresses to sportswear and pyjamas, Joe has got it all.
Trendy tees without obnoxious brand names smeared across them, and long-lasting Lulu Lemon style sweats...everything you could wish for and WITHOUT the crazy prices! This is why it is perfect for penniless camp staff (or students, or bargain hunters). You can get sweet shirts for $8, a good quality zip-up sweater for $10-15, and dresses/skirts for $20. There are so many styles and colors to choose from, even our diverse bunch of girls here can all find something they like.
Its so exciting to find an article that you really love, without having to cough up a ridiculous amount of cash for it. And you also know it will last.
So if you haven't already, check out your Superstore's selection of Joe, and be mightily pleased with what you find.