Giving In

It is nearly December 1st.

Only a 1/2 hour left, before I have to give in and admit that the Christmas Season has arrived.
I will not allow Christmas music, or decorations of any kind until December, because:

a. I am a bit of a control freak

b. There have got to be some limits set so that Christmas doesn't take over the entire calendar and become mundane and worn out before the 25th.

c. all of the above.

If you answered C. than you may be onto something.

When my mom gets home on Wednesday I have no doubt the wreaths and velvet poinsettas will bust out, the "gingerbread" and "candycane" candles will be lit, and a new Christmas CD will be drifting through the house.

And then the great Christmas Tree debate that we have every year will resume.

When do we get one? Will it be real or fake?

Things often get quite intense around here at Christmas, because despite the fact that our family has celebrated the holiday together almost every year, we each have our own preferences on exactly how to do it, and mine especially has a specific timeline on what is appropriate and when.

Are you the type of person that would love to have Christmas all year round, or do you wish it would stick strictly to the 25th of December? Or perhaps somewhere in between...

V-Town

I am currently in Victoria, visiting my dear friend Barb. 

The purpose of this weekend visit was originally to go through a Introductory Massage course at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, but since it was full, I decided to come down anyway and simply get a tour of the college and check it out. I'm already falling in love with this quaint and vibrant city...

Barb lives in the neighbourhood of Fernwood, which is the most beautiful area...it looks so European, at times I am reminded of Ireland. She and her roommates are renting the most adorable heritage house...it is like Patty's Place...I really am dying from the awesomeness of this whole thing. I can't lie: it makes me want to move down here ASAP. I know its kinda dumb, but I just love being on the Island, it just feels like home to me. 

After I came across on the ferry last night, Barb and I hung out for a bit, ate at the coolest  place...so delicious....watched "The Road" (one of the most terrifying/horrifying movies I have ever seen...yet very interesting at the same time...though I can't think of many people who would enjoy it) and then returned to the house and we talked about many philosophical things until 3AM. A great night.

I woke up early, and finished the book I have been working through since September, and then we ate at The Blue Fox Cafe and I got the most deeeeeeelious breakfast and again we talked about many deep and intriuging matters. 

This afternoon I have begun reading a new book (Love in the Time of Cholera), learned to play "Labrynth", a super awesome and strategic board game, and now...blogging. Tonight I visit some Homewood friends, and then who knows. 

Tomorrow there is basically nothing on the agenda, and Monday morning I get my tour, and then head home. 

Barb has a friend who is in the massage therapy program that I'm looking into, so I am hoping to meet up with him at some point and ask a few questions. I really hope that I can get a feel for what its like, and if I want to do this. The next introductory classes would be in April, and then I would know for sure I guess. If this is going to happen, I also need to make a LOT of money before next September, which means that there had better be a message for me on the machine from a prospective employer! So far I have got no response from the resumes I have put out, or my follow-ups. 

This blog post is turning into verbal diarrhea, so I'm gonna head out now. 

I'm sorry I have no pictures for you of this lovely place, but I am camera-less :(

Ok, well that's all for now. 

The Results Are In!

Well, it seems true that everyone has an opinion on eggnog. An unprecedented number of PJ readers (18!) participated in the The Great Eggnog Debate Poll, and here is what we found.

10% believe eggnog is a vomitous concoction, invented by sick and twisted minds. They get the heebie jeebies just thinking about it!

21% think eggnog is ok, and they'll drink it if its mixed with a lot of milk.

42% find eggnog a delight! They love having eggnog as a special treat during Christmas! Mmmm....

26% are passionate about their eggnog! They drink it straight, and they like it nice and thick. Why don't they keep this stuff in stores all year round?!

My own personal opinion is not that of a raving fanatic, but falls into the category that truly enjoys eggnog, but likes to keep it special by indulging only at Christmas.

I hope you all enjoy some delicious eggnog this season, and I also think the haters should give it another try. Blackwells eggnog is not too thick, and it doesn't have that off-putting yellow hue, so that could be your first step to discovering what it is that the rest of us like so much :)

Ouch

Cardboard Cut: like a paper cut...but thicker.

Dishwashing

I think one of the reasons I started cooking, all those years ago (for my family), was because we have a rule* in our house that whoever made dinner doesn't have to clean up. I loved being able to create the meal, and then sit back with a full stomach, and relax as my mess was tidied up.

Its not that I have an aversion to cleaning kitchens. I don't mind clearing the table, wiping counters, sweeping, putting dishes away...but inevitably there are those items that can't be put through the dishwasher, and must be washed by hand.

I do not like washing things by hand.

I need to find a guy like this.

I don't know why this is. When I think about it, its really not so terrible. I just...I don't like it. I think its something to do with dirty water. All the grossness is just swimming around in there. It gives me the shivers. I think this is linked to my pet peeve of dirty dishes sitting in a sink filled with cold dirty dishwater. It drives me CRAZY!!! Just thinking about it makes me mad.

I will gladly dry the dishes. I will gladly fill the dishwasher.
But please...do not make me wash the dishes.

* like all rules in the Coulter household, it is "flexible"...which means I have to (firmly) remind everyone about it, or I will be put to work.

Closet Treasure

I used to be a much more sentimental person that I am now. While I am still nostalgic, I am finding it much easier to get rid of "things" that are simply around because "I can't throw it out!"

As a result, I almost routinely go through my large closet and dig around in the nooks and crannies for things that I no longer feel attached to.

I do it routinely, because every now and then I see something that I still can't quite bear to part with. Give it another couple months unseen in the recesses of the closet ...and I am ready to let it go.

Today since I had nothing better to do, I was rummaging through my stash of picture frames, scrapbooks, and shoeboxes of junk, I discovered this:
I received this figurine years, and years, and years ago, from an aunt we don't see very often. At the time I was taking piano lessons and would play for any relatives that came over and talked me into it. This little girl sat on the piano for many years after that, occasionally being wound up to play her little tune. Eventually she was relegated to my room, and then my closet, after that.

Today when she was unwrapped I thought, "Why am I keeping this?"
Maybe I should feel emotionally attached, but I don't. I was about to put it in the give-a-way pile with some dollar-store picture frames (see? I am getting better), and weird old plaques, when my wise mother suggested that it might be worth something. It might be an antique.

I inspected the piece for some kind of ID, and then Googled it.

Turns out this little piano-player is a "Josef Original"...a highly collectible item. She plays, "Humoresque" and I saw a few going for $55 - $70! I had no idea it was worth so much.

Thing is, I have no idea to go about selling this thing. Does anyone have any experience with this? How can I get the best deal on it? Am I sick for wanting to sell a gift?

Saturday

Friday and Saturday are my "weekend", meaning I don't have a single responsibility on those days.
Well yesterday I ended up spending most of the day at Full Gospel church, helping put on the Kamloops' Pregnancy Care Center fundraising dinner, and before I knew it I was crawling into my bed, exhausted.

This morning I feel a little lost without anything that needs to be done. I can't even bake or cook, since our oven/stove is under repairs. I've cleaned my room. Went shopping for necessary items. Checked in on a sick brother. I don't know what else to do.

I really need to get another job.

Eggnog: The Great Debate

Normally it would be against my principles to have Christmas-themed posts before December even hits the calendars.
But when inspiration hits, who am I to deny it?
Also, this is another In-Preparation-For-The-Christmas-Season type thing. You need to know where eggnog stands in your household, before the time comes.

In my experience, most people feel quite strongly about eggnog, one way or the other. This iconic seasonal drink either repulses, or delights.

The thick texture, heavily spiced flavor, and knowledge of raw (gasp!) eggs in the mix, turn many away.

However, there are a few eggnog fanatics in my household. My youngest brother, Tim, in particular, inspired this post with his Facebook vow to create an eggnog cheesecake. Tim, who resists pouring his own bowl of cereal in the morning; Tim, who would rather waste away living on granola bars than cook his own dinner; HE voluntarily decided to bake himself an eggnog cheesecake.

Its true love.

Every since he was a wee one, Timmy has loved his eggnog. In Christmas' past, during eggnog wars when we had to mix our 'nog with milk, Tim would simply go and buy his own, write his name on the carton, and gloatingly sip pure, undefiled eggnog in front of the rest of us. This was back in the day when income was $10/month, earned by braving the frigid elements of the outdoors and delivering papers. That carton of eggnog was a serious expense, but to him it was worth it.

Eggnog is a topic that everyone has an opinion on. I have heard people hate on it as passionately as Tim loves it. It makes some people gag. Some can't even stand the smell.

I love that people of this variety have voted on the poll already! In fact, every view has already been represented, and I haven't even voted yet! Having grown up in nog-lovin' household, I need to ask all your eggnog haters: what is it about the nog that you hate?!

12:00 AM

I wanted to blog on the 18th, but apparently I missed my opportunity.

Christmas Eve Shopper Reforms Her Ways

Its not that I don't enjoy buying presents.

I do. And I love giving presents. Especially for-no-reason presents. I think those are the best. Which might be why I have a problem with birthdays and Christmas...buying presents under pressure. Its like my imagination shuts down, and I can't remember what people like, or what they want.

Most of the time, I just put it off until the last minute, and then scramble to get something that might work.

This year I'm changing my style.

I've begun to "collect" gifts throughout the year, saving them for the right opportunity. So far, I like the outcome. It really takes the pressure off, and you know for sure that its something that person will like, because you saw it and KNEW, instead of went searching for something.

Admittedly, I didn't have a whole lot of gifts accumulated for Christmas, but I have been brainstorming ideas, so I am very, very far ahead of my usual schedule of Christmas Eve shopping!

There are only a couple people left on my list that I have no idea what to get. But I'm hoping by the end of the month, everything will be bought and wrapped, and I can relax and enjoy the rest of the season.

Konkering My Fears

I decided to get over my fears, and get in on the fun.
The first (and only) time I had previously been on a dirt bike was years and years ago, at our friend's the Plysuiks'. They have all been dirtbiking since forever, and Rebecca had a little "50" (whatever that is). She convinced me to try it out.

I tried. For 2 seconds. Before it jerked forward and freaked me out so bad, I never got on one again.

Until now.
Tim's new Konker "pit bike" still looks huge and intimidating to me. But the big grin on his face when he invited me to try it out, suggested he thought it would be good entertainment. I wanted to triumph. (not sure I did)

Having never really driven anything besides an automatic, the whole idea of changing gears and having a "clutch" is foreign, strange, and scary!

Tim brought me step-by-step through the process, which I botched nearly every time. I even fell to the ground, bike on top of me, in an attempt to get off. I blame in on short legs. Tim laughed and rolled his eyes.
At last, with a ferocious lunge forwards I was going!

It was very exciting! Perhaps a little too much power in my incapable hands though! I was finding the acceleration a little touchy, which isn't great for someone with my slow reflexes!

I nearly ran into a barrel of flowers, and there were probably a couple of grisly wipe-out scenarios that were only very narrowly avoided.
It was a lot of fun, I can see how it would be addicting for someone like Tim who is so good with things that go fast, roar, and smell like gasoline, but I think I might stick to cooking...while I do receive minor injuries there, I'm not likely to send myself over a cliff by twitching! :D

Shopaholic?

Sometimes I buy things against my better judgment, for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Its on sale. It might still be way more than I would pay for it regularly, but hey-- its on sale!

2. I think I like it. I think...hey, is that a sale tag? I like it.

3. I'm shopping at a store that we don't have in Kamloops, and I just can't bear to not buy something there when I actually have the opportunity.*

4. It fits. It might be hideously ugly, or perhaps overpriced, but hey-- it fits.

5. I just want to buy something. Anything, as long as it involves taking something new home.

Do I need serious help or what?!

*Something of this nature may or may not have occurred recently.

Friendly Find

This past week, I was meeting an out-of-town friend for coffee.
Usually she suggests meeting at Starbucks for our visits, but this time I convinced her to try something new...I'm just adventurous like that.
There was a little cafe downtown that I'd been dying to try out. Cafe Arianna. It looked cool, inviting, and unique.
So we headed down there.

Its situated right on the corner of Landsdowne and Third, right across from the A&W, with its own little parking lot and everything! I didn't know that at the time, so we walked from the (free!) parking in front of Coopers.
Well, when I walked in I quickly scoped it out. I knew that it had only been open for a matter of weeks, and was probably still finding its niche among all the Zack's, Second Cups', and Starbucks' of Kamloops.
The man at the counter welcomed us with an accent I didn't recognize until I spotted a familiar face in the doorway to the kitchen...
Christiana!
Since none of you probably know who she is, I will explain!

Waaaay back, a long long time ago...as in last year...when I was beginning the Culinary Arts course, we had one of the Third Level Students come into the cafeteria (usually they only run the Accolades restaurant) and work as our Sous Chef. Basically, our task master for the day.

We had some real gems. Cocky, arrogant fellows we wanted to empty our boiling soup pots on, and ditzy clueless girls that didn't know one end of a ladle from the other. None of them cared anything about us newbies, and just resented having to get up so early instead of getting up at 2pm like the rest of their classmates.
Cristiana was different.

She had moved from Italy to Canada in 2007, to take the Culinary Arts course and open a "real" Italian place with her husband. That was their dream.
When she was our Sous Chef, she took it seriously. This was not just another school assignment. For a moment, this was her job.
She didn't sit in one one of the offices and watch youtube like the others, she got right in there with us and actually taught us things.

One day she made homemade ravioli with us, as quickly and expertly as only a true Italian can!
I was in awe of her. She took cooking very seriously, was not afraid to voice her opinions to anyone, and my favorite Instructor truly respected her, which made me respect her as well.
Maybe one of the reasons I liked her so much was because she liked me.
I remember one day when I was in my Entrees station, she came to talk to me. Just to talk. She told me I was really good; that I had "it".
"Some of these kids are no good," She told me, "But you understand about cooking."
Coming from this talented, confident, and ambitious woman, that was a compliment that really went to my heart.

I only saw Cristiana a few times after her stint as our Sous Chef, but I still considered us friends.
So imagine my delight at realizing Caffe Arianna was her dream-come-reality. When it dawned on me who was in the kitchen I felt a huge smile spread across my face. It only got bigger when she recognized me at once and waved ecstatically.
When she got a free moment she came over to say hello.
We hugged, and I congratulated her on opening the cafe. She was very pleased with it, and was beaming with pride.
Then she asked the terrible question:
"So have you quit the program? I went to Accolades the other day, and went upstairs to see you, but you were not there! I thought maybe you were sick or something."
I admitted, yes, I had given up cooking as a career. She understood, but was disappointed, too.
"She was very good," she told my friend with a very earnest expression.
Another Cristiana compliment. My little heart can't take it. Made me want to enroll in the next semester right then and there. (glad I didn't though!)

Anyways, it was absolutely fantastic to see her again, and to know that she got to open her cafe after all. It really made my day.
While I was only in there for coffee, I grabbed a takeout menu to browse later on.
There are paninis (yum!), homemade soups, desserts, and salads available, as well as special order homemade pastas! I even noted something about homemade gelato!

I am so, so glad I opted out of Starbucks to try Cafe Arianna! I know I've been picking on Starbucks lately, but the more I think about it, the more I want to support local businesses, and this experience has certainly encouraged me in that. Why not give friends my business, instead of huge cafe chains?

I'm definitely going back. There's a Max's Panini, and Coffee Affagato with my name on it...

Insomnia

I don't know what it is, but I just haven't been able to sleep much lately.
Maybe it has something to do with the time change? Or full moon? Or...???

Usually, I don't have any problem sleeping. I could get 10 hours every night, circumstances allowing. My body likes sleep. Within a half hour of going to bed, I could be in la-la land.

This past week I've probably been averaging 5 hours sleep/night.

For example:

Last night I was tossing and turning for hours and hours. This morning I felt dead, but got up around 9:30. I was exhausted all day, but resisted napping, telling myself I would finally get a good night's sleep. I crashed on the couch downstairs around 9 PM watching Blue Planet, had the best sleep this week so far, and woke up an hour later. I've been wide awake ever since.

I can't figure it out. I've cut out caffeine from my diet for a while now, so it can't be that.

I've tried drinking sleepy time tea.
I've tried journaling to quiet my mind.
I've tried listening to peaceful music, turned down low.
I've tried reading...
Cleaning my room...
Fewer blankets...
More blankets...
propped up on pillows...
other end of the bed...
pillows on my head...

Nothing has helped. I feel like I'm in a fog all the time.

But I have a theory; and idea that my nap in front of the movie put in my head.

I need the sound of someone talking, as "white noise".

Anyone want to volunteer to read me to sleep?

Of Books and Bookstores, Used and Old

So I had this great idea for a blog post about books today...

And then my mother had to go and blog books first.

But I'm a free spirit. So I'm going to go with my idea anyway. That's what free spirits do.

Here is a tale of two bookstores.

The other day I went into Chapters to drop off a resume. I figured, I like books. I can work at Chapters, wear the silly little uniform, weather the Christmas shopping storm...make a little money.
If you've ever been there, which you probably have, you know that Chapters is large. And its a chain company. And its affiliated with Starbucks. What was I thinking...

The lady at the desk peered over her glasses at me when I asked to speak with the manager, and crisply told me that "we don't accept resumes here." She told me to go online and apply there. Since I'd already checked out their site and hadn't seen anything about applying online, I asked, "at Chapters.ca?", and she answered peevishly, "yes, go to our website."
Bad customer service reeeeally turns me off. You have no idea.
I didn't bother going online to look.
That's just the way I am.

I went into Second Glance Used Books today.
On a mission.
Not to drop off a resume, but to find a rather obscure book that I have wanted for a very long time.

There is something about used bookstores that are so much more lovable than new ones, I think. They are so inviting. Its not like when you walk into a new bookstore and everything is displayed perfectly, and arranged just so. You don't feel slightly awed, scared to touch anything for fear of bending a corner, or tearing a page. It is the difference between entering an immaculate show house, and the home of an old friend.

Second glance had a box of freebies at the door, and as I entered, I was pleased to see it was filled to bursting with all kinds of books...books stacked on the floor, piled on shelves, stuffed in boxes...every book imaginable. Mystery, Horror, Romance, Children's, Fantasy, Self-Help, Plays, Poetry...on and on.

I couldn't help but grin as I made my way through the maze of books and shelves, occasionally tugging one book out from under a pile, like a game of Jenga, or finding an interesting title wedged between two larger books.

There were a couple of friends gathered in the back on couches, hanging out, and there were a few wanders who had just come to browse. Then there was me, trying to find that elusive novel.

I was sidetracked for a while by a pile of retro-looking Tolkien books. Then by an old book of poetry. Finally I found my way into the children's section, and spied a box of Anne of Green Gables books. Aha!

There were old cloth-bound versions of "The Golden Road", and newer shiny editions of the Anne series, with pictures from the movies. And lots and lots of the typical paperbacks by Seal Books publishing.

I trailed my finger down the titles frantically. Was this all there was? Would I never find my book?

Then there it was. Right there, amidst a sea of "Anne of Avonlea"s...

A Tangled Web
By L.M. Montgomery

I snatched it up, as though some stranger would nab it before I got to the till. It was $2.

There were a total of 8 books stuffed under my arm when I unloaded them onto the counter with a beaming smile. I happily handed over the $30 it cost me. One was like new, and the others were old enough to be collectors items, or so I'd like to think.

I really can't help myself when it comes to used bookstores. They are just so awesome.

The girls at the counter were nice and helpful, and I'm definitely going back...with a resume.

The Swell Season

I don't know what it is about the Irish, but their musical misery is magical. Take Damien Rice, for example. Or my newest favorite, Glen Hansard, who stars in the Irish-made movie, "Once".

"Once" is a movie about a heartbroken Irish musician who meets with a young Polish immigrant in downtown Dublin (There were a few "Hey! I've been on that street!" scenes), where they begin to sort out their lives while teaming up to create some beautiful music together. I watched it this summer, and bought the soundtrack the very next day.


It is one of the most raw and emotional CDs I've ever listened to, yet so awesome, especially the Oscar-winning song, "Falling Slowly". This guy really sings from his heart, which sometimes results in a less-than-perfect-pitch, but I think that is half the charm.

Just the other day I spotted another CD while in line at Starbucks (Hey, I guess it is good for something other than overpriced, over-hyped coffee!) with strangely familiar faces and a sticker that, among other things, mentioned "Once".

Apparently the two musicians from the movie have started a band called The Swell Season (or maybe they had it before?), and the CD was titled, Strict Joy. I snapped it up without even thinking about it. Which is extremely unusual for me. I almost never buy music. I just couldn't pass this up.

Strict Joy warms my heart with the same acoustic sound and great vocals, without the melancholy titles, like "Lies", "Leave", and "Trying to Pull Myself Away". It is much more upbeat, but still lovely.

I'm definitely on the look-out for more of their music. I don't think I will ever get tired of it!

After

This is for you, Sonya...

The "during" pictures would have just been me screaming in pain, and no one wants to see that.

Right?

I (un)Did It

It is with some regret, and a saddened heart that I bear this news.
However, I do maintain that the action was necessary.

It was nice to have something different.

It was fun.

But it was beginning to look...messy.

Not exactly the sleek, uniform dreads I was hoping for.
Some were skinny little tangles, some were wobbly and twisted, some were massive "merged" dreads...and some strands wouldn't dread at all. (see that tiny one on the right hand side of my head there? sigh)

So I broke down, bought some conditioner, and combed them out over the course of two days, and with lots of help from my mom.

I can say without a doubt, it was far more time-consuming and PAINFUL to take them out than to put them in. And that is saying something.

I sort of miss them. But I was getting frustrated. However, that is NOT to say that I wouldn't do them again. I would. In a second. I would just be careful to make them larger, especially in the back, and to weed out those wigglies early on, when they can be straightened out.

And so passes another era.

I'm getting my hair cut tonight. I might post pictures later.

Ugh

Been sick for a week now.
Didn't sleep last night.
Had an hour-long nosebleed this morning.
Feeling a bad case of the grumpies.

Must be November.