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.

Winter Already?!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw snow outside my window this morning.
It wasn't even that cold yesterday! How could it snow?
I want my rain back!

On top of that, I'm fighting this darn cold, and I feel like my head is a helium balloon being pumped up; the pressure increasing with every sniffle. Argh.

Which brings me to reason why no one received any comments yesterday. I was feeling sick. And lazy. I'll make it up to you today.

Also, does anyone else feel like doing nothing but eating and sleeping these days? Is this a result of my cold, or maybe its just me....?

I was thinking about those chocolate cookies last night. I was concocting a plan to make them even chewier, and more delicious. Can't wait to try it out!

I was hoping to get out and drop off resumes this week. Now its Thursday, and I've done very little at all besides blow my nose and sleep. Frustrating! I feel like I'm never going to find a job, and therefore never have enough money to get to school next Fall.

Speaking of which, I got the info packet from WCCMT yesterday, and it left me feeling very poor and confused. How can I spend all that money not even knowing for sure that is what I want to do? I guess that's why they have the introductory workshop.

I think I've also decided if I did go, I would go for the 3-year program right off the bat, instead of becoming a "Spa Practitioner" first. I want to have that pretty piece of paper that says "RMT".

This post is so random. This is what my brain looks like. It sort of makes sense, but not really.

I want to be a Wiener.

I do lurk.
One of the blogs I lurk is Pioneer Woman...
I figure with over twenty-billion comments/post she probably won't miss me.

The only time I will ever comment is when she's having a giveaway contest...for one of these:

I want it so bad.

By commenting on the contest (its always about food, so I always have something to say :D) I automatically enter for a chance to win.

I've entered a few times now.

I'm trying not to give up hope.

I mean, eventually the odds will work out in my favor, won't they?

Maybe not.

The Wieners for the last contest were revealed this morning. I am not among them.

Siiiiiigh.

Photophobia

I recently took a picture of my dearest mother and I, which I thought was kind of nice.
She, however, exclaimed with horror, "Don't you ever show that picture to anyone!!! I look terrible!" You will find it posted below......
kidding, mom. Kidding.

It was a perfectly good picture. While neither of us are extremely photogenic, we were both smiling normally (well she was anyway), the lighting wasn't bad (we were outside)...if anything I should have been the one protesting, since my head was in the foreground, thus appearing abnormally large.

What is it about us that hates pictures of ourselves? Maybe this is something unique to my family, because I sure do it a lot. I cringe and think, is that really what I look like?? Everyone else is like, "that's a good picture of you!" and I'm thinking, "If that's a good picture..."

Are we harder on ourselves, because we don't see ourselves all the time everyday? While everyone else is used to seeing us everyday, we aren't used to seeing ourselves unless we're posing in front of the mirror (not that I do that...)?

Are we simply not aware of what we look like 'normally'?

Does anyone else get that?

Eye of the Beholder

I am coming down with a cold now.
I was sneezing last night at work, and then when I woke up early this morning my throat was like a gravel road. On a rocky mountain. With sand.
Being the kind of person that believes sleep cures most ailments, I rolled over, and went back to dreamland for a couple hours.
When I got up, it was much better, but I feel like I have to do all that I can to keep it at bay.
As soon as I get the proper ingredients, I will introduce your to Taryn's Elixer for the Common Cold, which my one of my very good friend's from Strathcona used to cure everyone at the lodge when we were all suffering from sore throats and sniffles.

Until then, I do not have the strength or will to come up with interesting blog topics.
So today I bring you another Strathcona special, which we cooks discussed because we spent numerous hours in the kitchen working with our hands and not our minds, and had nothing better to do...

The statement in question was,

Women Place More Value in Beauty Than Men Do.

Bear in mind, it is acknowledged to be a generalized statement, which means obviously not everyone is the same...therefore, "Women in General," and "Men in General" would be more accurate wording.

Also, we are not talking specifically Physical Beauty. This is just Beauty in General.

We really had to word our discussion statements carefully over there.
It got pretty intense.

So what do you think?
I know I have both male and female readers, so I'd love to hear from both sides...

Under The Weather

I'm afraid my blogging spree was cut short this weekend.
On Saturday I had the pleasure of doing many fun things, which extended until 10PM, and then suddenly and inexplicably became ill.
On Sunday I didn't get out of bed until after 12PM, still felt gross, and then went to work at 3:30.
Got home at 10PM, and went to bed.

Today I feel fine, and am enjoying this cool, rainy day.
Yes...I like the rain. It reminds me of the Island.

Since I left off on Comment Karma Day 2 last Friday, I will resume as if today is Day 3, and hopefully get the momentum going again!

I do have to get some other things done first though, so don't hold your breath...but DO keep watch for a comment coming to a blog near you!

On a New Path

Last year at this time I was steeped in culinary life, absorbed with the differences in terms such as "Blanch" and "Parboil". I woke up early each morning, usually around 6AM, got through my regular morning routine, and spent most of the day wearing baggy checkered pants and a checkered pillbox hat. I tried to please my instructors by being early and working hard, spent my late afternoons moaning over homework, and then hurrying out the door to work 6 hours at Billy Miners Roadhouse, deep-frying fries and chicken nuggets.


I was busy, but it was good. This year has been a bit different so far.
After I returned from Strathcona Park Lodge, I decided to take September easy. I had been on the go since last September when I started the culinary program, and I wanted a break. I have been working part-time with Dutch Touch Cleaning Services, and that has been a really great way for me to unwind from the stress of cooking and earn just enough cash to keep the car running and do things that I want to do.


I told myself October would be different. I would get full-time work, move out of my parent's place, and figure out what I wanted to do when I grow up. That sort of thing.

Well, now its late October, and I still haven't got a full-time job (though I've been applying), moving out of my parent's place is just not gonna happen...but...BUT...

I may have figured out a career choice.

This is a big thing for me guys! ME, who has stared at her future with a bleak "I just don't know what to do" for so long. Even while cooking, I wasn't convinced I wanted it as a career.

Researching my Meyers-Briggs personality (INFP) didn't really help with its suggestions (teacher, writer, actor, etc) but it did highlight a few things that I thought, "Ya, that is important to me."

Helping people.
Improving lives.
Making a difference.

Other things I wanted to include:

Low-stress environment.
Working independently (not necessarily my own business, but just not having someone breath down my neck)
Not sitting at a desk all day.

Well, this week I was talking with my mom about jobs, and I don't even remember how it came up, but suddenly I was like, "Maybe I will become a massage therapist."

I said it as kind of a joke. I've thought about it before, when I was graduating highschool. Its been in the back of my mind forever, but then I would always think, "That means I would have to touch people that I don't know...eeeewwwww!"
That still kind of disturbs me, but I think once you are trained professionally its not a big deal.

All the pieces started to fit together.
The whole natural healing thing appeals to me, and its such a diverse field, there would always be something new to learn and specialize in. It really fits in with my interests and values.

I looked it up, and there is a school of massage in Victoria that looks very good. Of course, the tuition kind of popped a blood vessel in my head...but if I work full-time this year and save every penny, I think I could pull it off. Maybe. I refuse to get another student loan. Ever.

Completing the first year will qualify me as a Spa Practioner, which basically means I would be your typical spa masseuse, trained to do hot rock, aromatherapy, reflexology, and all those lovely things.

If I chose to go on for the next two years, I would become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), and work in a medical setting, or specialize in sports-related massage.

It all sounds so intriguing! For the first time in a very long time, I am excited about the possibility of going back to school! I really think this is something I could "get into"!

Best of all...I won't have to talk to people (much)...and they will love me for it!

The Introvert in me is smiling really big.

Comment Karma

Well, it appears that it takes more than a bloggy birthday and the promise of delicious cookies to get comments out of you stubborn lurkers.

So here is what I propose...

Its new. Its daring. And it will promote bloggy goodwill everywhere.

Its also an experiment! I am excited, aren't you?!

See, I think that when you comment on a persons' blog, they are more likely to return the favor, and comment on yours.

I call this...

Comment Karma!

Karma: the concept of a system where beneficial effects are derived from past beneficial actions and harmful effects from past harmful actions.

Let's start a comment revolution!

Here's how its going to work.

You begin by commenting on..lets say...five...different blogs.

They can be the blogs of someone you know, someone you don't know, a blog you've read for a while but never commented on, or a blog you just stumbled across this minute. Or whatever. My point is, it can be any blog. But I think it will work better if you comment on more personal blogs, rather than huge well-known blogs that get 1000+ comments every day.

For those of you unused to commenting, it doesn't have to be anything profound! I think comment content is what scares people off commenting the most. Honestly now, if you have a blog, have you ever got a comment that you just thought, "Wow that is a stupid comment, why did they even bother writing that?". The correct answer is NO! If you are anything at all like me, you will be so excited about actually getting a comment, comment critique will be the last thing on your mind!
So go ahead, type out a quick, "I totally agree! By the way, I like your blog", and you will make some blogger very happy. Eventually you can move on to more interesting comments. Baby steps, remember?

Back to the C.K. program here.

The next day, drop off four comments. Any blogs. Doesn't matter. The catch is, if you got any comments in the last day you have to return the comment karma, given the commenter has a blog. This can be included in your four required comments if you are feeling stingy.

Still with me?

Next day: 3 comments. And you still have to karma comment to every comment you have received.

Day after that: 2 comments + comment karma.

And after that: 1 comment + comment karma.

After that....well hopefully everyone will be commenting away that the comment karma will be on such a roll that no one can stop it!

I'm kinda stoked about this. Think it'll work?

Its That Time Again...

Birthday Time!

I don't celebrate birthdays on PJ very often anymore. Mostly I just forget.
Just being honest.

But today is a special birthday!!!

It's PJ's Birthday!

#3!

So, I asked PJ what he wants for his birthday. Being 3 years old, he's grown out of the usual...you know, birthday cake clip art, new template, etc, etc.

What he's asked for is comments. Hey, give me a break. This isn't me comment-mongering, guys. Its all him.

I told him how sometimes people are a bit...ya know...reluctant to comment. I mean, he may have 12 "followers" but he only averages 2 comments/post (he would like to thank Sonya, Danica, and PL for their faithful reading). Just sayin'!

So he said to give you guys a little incentive.

Here's what I'm doing. Today I am making some triple chocolate cookies. Wait.

There is some history here. See, triple chocolate cookies are really not that easy to find.
Some time ago I went to a lot of trouble to discover a satisfactory from-scratch recipe. It was unsuccessful. They cookies always turned out dry, crumbly, and simply not chocolaty enough. I wanted big and chewy and heart-stoppingly chocolaty cookies! Like the ones from Subway, but not made from entirely artificial ingredients.

Anyway, my search ended fruitlessly, UNTIL...one day, while in Ireland, the little girl I gave piano lessons made some triple chocolate cookies. And they were THE triple chocolate cookies.

Of course I nabbed the recipe.

So. Back to my incentive.

I am making the cookies today. If you leave a comment today, you will enter for a chance to win-

a. A large Triple Chocolate Cookie! Instant gratification!

or

b. The coveted secret recipe for these Triple Chocolate Cookies! (for those who are too far away to receive a fresh cookie)

or

c. if you're just not that into chocolate (I know, its sick and twisted but there ARE people like that out there) I will think of something else to get you. Or you could just comment anyway. C'mon its for poor little PJ.

Canadian Jersey

You feel a thrill of delight, as you shrug into it, feeling the heavy woolen weight on your shoulders.
As you pull up the zipper, the warmth is sealed in.

The air outside is crisp and bitingly cold. Your nose tingles; your hands dive into the shelter of your pockets.


You are warm. You are stylin'. You are Canadian.


I love Cowichan sweaters. I love their patterns, I love their colors, and I love that they are one thing that we Canadians can call our own (along with Maple Syrup and...?). I also love that they are warm.
I've always wanted one of my own. Maybe with a fox on it, since I love foxes.

Interesting...I just stumbled across a few articles while googling the sweaters, and found out there's a big to-do over Cowichan Sweaters and the Olympics.

What do you think about the sweaters? Ugly? Fashionable? Do you own one, or wouldn't be caught dead in one?

If you read the article, do you think the government made a mistake, or is everyone making a big deal about nothing?

Disney Top 5!

As most of you know, my love for Disney is akin to my love for chocolate...and food in general.
So that's a pretty big love.
While I do enjoy most/all Disney animated classics, there are only a few I can really watch over and over and over again!


1. Robin Hood
A true classic! This film came out in 1973, so its really from "the good ol' days"! Hand-drawn, full of continuity blunders, amazing voice acting which must be 90% improv, and catchy tunes, Robin Hood has won my heart forever. Its true, my first crush was a fox.
EDIT: does anyone else find it strange that this favorite is one of the few Disney classics that have not been mutilated with a cheap sequel? Not that I'm complaining!


2. Beauty & The Beast
Ok seriously now...I'm torn about placing this one second, because it is a mind-blowingly good movie, not to mention the first Disney I owned. I think sometimes it gets thrown in your face so much during those weird Disney Classic promos, that we forget how awesome it truly is. Its more than just the shot of Belle & the Beast dancing under that huge vaulted ceiling with the naked babies cherubs...there are several good reasons it won Best Original Score I could hum for you, and a billion good reasons it was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars!
I love this movie. I. love. this. movie.


3. 101 Dalmations
I grew up with this movie. Some of my earliest memories are going to my cousin Julie's house and watching 101 Dalmations. I must have been 4 years old. We had the whole thing memorized, and would act it out...Julie always got to be Purdy, and I was always Pongo...I think I might possibly need some counselling now.
Besides all that, again the hand-drawn animation and jazzy, old-school soundtrack give my nostalgic little heart the warm fuzzies.


4. Mulan
A bit more "modern", but classic nonetheless. Amazing animation (love the opening credits...), great sing-a-longs, and hilarious quotes. What more can you really ask for in a Disney?


5. The Emperors New Groove
Now I'm really straying from my roots. I don't even know if this classifies as a classic, but what the heck. It makes me laugh SO hard...I watched it in theatres for my 13th birthday, and I don't think I stopped laughing once through the whole movie. Its brilliant.

So those are my Top 5!
What are yours?

Scrapbooking in the Digital Age

I've been scrapbooking for quite a long time now. When I was a younger, it meant nabbing the doubles my mom had left over from her prints, gluing them onto a bright sheet of construction paper, and then journaling who was in the picture with a Mr Sketch marker.
Things haven't changed all that much.
In my teens I upgraded to my own camera, a 12x12 refillable scrapbook, textured or printed scrapbook paper, and a few fancy scrapbooking trinkets. I can spend hours on my book, and produce only a few pages at a time. But the process is basically the same.

Last year around this time, I made my first digital photo book. I borrowed Mike's Mac computer, which had a program built in. Basically, all I had to do was upload my pictures, and then drop them into different templates, choose a background, type in some text, and voila! With the click of a button, a professional, glossy photobook was delivered to my door.
I used it to document my pictures of Scotland (which I did not have the time or inclination to scrapbook the long way), and liked it so much that I made another one as a gift that Christmas!

Now I'm afraid that I might just be addicted to the simplicity, and quick results of the digital scrapbook. I do like how my paper scrapbooks look, and they do allow for a lot more creative freedom...but they take so much time and energy. And I think they are more expensive too, in the long run.

Right now I'm in the process of digitally compiling my Ireland photos online...a task way overdue! With thousands of photos to sort through, I was too overwhelmed to even think of printing them off, and finding the right paper & scrapbook paraphenalia to go about it properly.
After searching through myriads of different photobook options, I finally found one (Shutterfly) that wasn't too ridiculously expensive, and offered the key options that were important to me. Its not perfect, but then again, having fewer options is probably a good thing...otherwise I would be tweaking it forever!

I uploaded a couple hundred photos and got started. I've already gone beyond the 20 pages that come with the book, and I'm not even through my first week in Ireland! However, I think the photo-to-page ratio is pretty decent, and I might just make a few volumes :)

Also, this way no one has to try to decipher my handwriting, as all the journaling is in nice clear text! The only really big downside is that I can't really tape/glue all my ticket stubs, brochures, postcards, etc that I accumulated in my time there. I think I might just scrapbook those seperately, the good old-fashioned way!

Happy Warts-Giving

I didn't put up any Thanksgiving posts this weekend, so now I am going to make up for it.

I am thankful for liquid nitrogen.
I am thankful to be wart-free.
I am thankful for cameras to document my journey through wart-dom.
I am thankful for blogs to share this incredible journey with you.

See that dark round cluster to the Left? That, I believe, is the wart. The rest is simply a blood blister from walking on a sore, recently-frozen wart. The two slightly wartish-looking things on either side were warts-to-be, nipped in the bud.
The other two full-grown warts on my toes departed silently in night, sometime last week.
So this crusty blossom was all that was left of the fiends.
It was looking very pickable...
So I picked it.
It came off quite easily.
My warts are gone! Hurrah! Hopefully I will never have warts again!

Nerdy Nerd Nerd

Does it make me a huge nerd if I want to go here?
If not, then wishing I got to wear a Hogwarts cloak whilst wandering around it definitely does.

Chemical Wart-fare

Its been over 2 weeks now since I got my warts burned off at the walk-in clinic...more like 3. But the warts appear to have been defeated. They've turned black, and one has abandoned ship entirely. I'm hoping the other two will follow suit.
I am sort of wishing I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar treatment before I brought in the heavy artillery. I'm curious to know if there is an easy at-home solution to wart destruction.
Maybe I'll get a new batch someday and get a chance to try it out.

INFP: I Need to Focus Please

Or something. That was the best I could come up with for that acronym.

I struggle with my personality, sometimes. I find aspects of myself very frustrating. For instance, I have very good intentions, but very little follow-through. I get lots of ideas for things I would love to do, and I make exciting plans, and then...somehow I just never get around to doing those things. I make lists, and I make lists of lists, I sometimes even check things off, but eventually they join the other lists stuffed in my drawer that never see the light of day again. Goals are excellent, but I can never seem to nail down a timeline to achieve them. I always second guess myself, and then I think, "Well, I will get it done when I get it done." and guess what? It doesn't get done.

I once blogged about my Meyers-Briggs personality quiz result. I am INFP, the "Dreamer" or more commonly known as the "Healer". I don't know about the healing part, but I'm definitely an Idealist. Being an Idealist isn't easy. There's too much realism in this world. I'm big bundle of sensitivity, that's what I am. I've got so many feelings, they bump into each other and they all get hurt.



I'm getting side-tracked.

Today I wanted to find out what would be a good job for my personality type. As a decided Introvert I don't want to be in a position where I have to interact with new people all the time. But as a Feeler, I want to help people out in some meaningful way.
So I went online and looked up some INFP job suggestions. And promptly got sucked into analyzing myself. The more I read on INFP traits, the more I realized that I am becoming more INFP-ish as I get older. I never used to be like this, I swear! But I am not alone.
I stumbled across a forum board of a bunch of INFP-ers bemoaning their personality and how hard it is for them to find a fulfilling job. Greeeeaaaaat.
We are a needy bunch. Hard to please. We lack organizational skills and go-get-em attitudes, but we want do work of significance.
I feel full of contradictions, and I know what I want, but I don't know if it exists.

Aaaaaaaand its getting really late, and I'm probably just rambling now....I get really strange once it hits the "wee hours", but then again, that's when I'm at my conversational best, don'tcha know? ahaha...I bet this post doesn't make any sense! I can hardly wait 'til noon, when I will read this again and be really embarassed! AWESOME.

Free to Good Home (or wherever)

This was my first camera! I got it as a Christmas present back in the day, and I loved it. It takes decent photos. It served me well.
It also served my brother well when I got my first digital camera. Well actually he never really used it. So now I'm giving it to you!

Its in perfect shape, very easy to use, and the results will be satisfying I'm sure.
Seeing as you probably own a digital camera, this could be perfect for the small person in your circle of family/friends who cannot yet be trusted with a more expensive piece of technology.

The best part...its FREE!
Leave a comment if you want it.

Wanted: Patty's Place

I was hoping to be able to move out this Fall. Living "at home" isn't bad, but strangely enough I've stopped thinking of it as "My House" so much as "My Parent's House"...maybe its because I've been living on my own more often than not, since a couple years ago. A place of my own(ish) is high on the priority list.
I've even got my friend Katie in on my scheme. Now that she works at the hospital in Kamloops, we figure rooming together would be ideal. We've been scanning the ads in papers and websites, looking for a good deal.
We looked at a couple of places last week...but they didn't seem right. I'm a little scared that I've built up an ideal too much in my head, and now nothing will measure up. I remember reading Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery when I was younger (and again, again), and one of my favorite parts was when Anne and her friends discover Patty's Place.

"There's a perfectly killing little place I want to show you, Anne...[it] must have grown while Spofford Avenue was still a country road. It did grow-it wasn't built! I don't care for the houses on the Avenue. They're too brand new and plate-glassy. But this little spot is a dream-and its name-but wait till you see it"...
"Its the dearest place I ever saw," said Anne delightedly. "It gives me one of my old, delightful, funny aches."...
"Its the name I want you to notice especially," said Phil. "Look-in white letters, around the archway over the gate. 'Patty's Place' Isn't that killing?"

I used to think about finding my own "Patty's Place", and how homey and comfortable it would be. I am almost scared to write this, because I know my dad is going to raise his eyebrows at me, and say "You know that you're not going to find a place like that right?" I do know. But a girl can dream.

"I feel as if something mysterious were going to happen right away-'by the pricking of my thumbs'," said Anne, as they went up the slope. "Its a nice story-bookish feeling. Why-why-why! Priscilla Grant, look over there and tell me if its true, or am I seein' things?"
Priscilla looked. Anne's thumbs and eyes had not deceived her. Over the arched gateway of Patty's Place dangled a little, modest sign. It said, "To Let, Furnished. Inquire Within."
"Priscilla," said Anne, in a whisper, "do you supposed it's possible that we could rent Patty's Place?"

Of course, for Anne it all works out and she gets the place. For me, I will most likely have to settle for a dingy basement suite, or a tiny apartment. I can live with that. Its not forever, and no matter what it is like, the fact that it will be my own little home will lend it a little magic.

I'm Baaaack!

I've gone practically a week without internet access since our Modem died last Monday, and then I was away over the weekend.
It wasn't actually that hard to do. I thought it would be way worse.
I did get some awesome blogging ideas during the week, but of course I couldn't post them, and now I've forgotten them. Maybe it will come back to me...
I'll write a little bit about my weekend adventure as well! But not now. I am too sleep deprived.
I think I need some coffee.

Random Updates, and a Helpful Trick

Update #1:
When I returned from Ireland, a few of my houseplants were, shall we say, in need of some TLC. Some (like my English Ivy...that's a post for another day) were beyond help, and I feared my Jasmine was among them. Once the dead branches were pruned, and the crispy leaves bushed aside, there remained but a few sharp brown twigs sticking out of the pot. You can see them in this picture. You can also see that it has been brought back to health, and three lively green shoots have sprung up since then. Its been a long journey, and I wondered if it would ever return to its former glory. This plant used to be quite bushy and frequently dotted with fragrant white blossoms. Well, today I celebrate because one of its 3 buds have opened, and I have a beautiful white bloom!
I am very happy.

Update #2:
Its been one week since I got (my warts) tortured at the walk-in clinic.
They are not nearly as sore as they were, and are now beginning to darken.
The doctor said they should be gone within 2 weeks, so they have seven days to skedaddle.

Ps. I hear putting Apple Cider Vinegar on warts is supposed to get rid of them...maybe I should have tried that. It might have been less painful!

Speaking of Apple Cider Vinegar....

Helpful Trick:
We get bombarded with fruit flies at our house every now and then.
And lately its been more now than then.
I've found a way to get rid of them, and it really works!

I got a shallow dish, poured in some Apple Cider Vinegar (the fruity smell attracts them), and covered it with plastic cling wrap. Then I poked holes with a fork.

The flies smell the vinegar, climb in the holes, and then eventually fall into the liquid and drown because they can't crawl out!

The picture shows the second batch of victims. The first batch was even more successful!

Student Survival

I lived through my culinary encounter.
I actually got so nervous when I walked into the building, I almost didn't go into his office. This feeling that I was a disappointment, a traitor even, was unbelievably strong, and I didn't want to face the conflict ahead.
At 12:30 the cafeteria was buzzing, which was really good, since when I started last September it wasn't nearly as full that early in the year. I like to think this is because we impressed the campus with our skillz last year, and now they know the caf actually exists.
Anyway I got the dreaded conversation over with, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was nice to hear that they wanted me back, but I don't think that is in my future. I got my cheque, had a delicious lunch (Pad Thai, served up by one of my friends from the class under me), and saw some old classmates. It was nice, and I walked out $75 richer (uniform damage deposit).

Unfortunately, other student-related issues have come up. Turns out my student loan is not satisfied with my soul, it wants my firstborn as well.
The friggen retarded BC Student Loan sent me a bill today, telling me its time to pay up! It's a relatively small sum they are asking for, which wouldn't be so bad-- if I hadn't already paid every last freaking dollar to them on September 2!
This is soooo frustrating. I have no idea where they got this number from, but I don't want to pay it, and now I have to drive out to the bank and get it all sorted out, and I just KNOW they are gonna tear the money from my cold dead hands. I'll stammer and protest, and they will spout off their garbley snarbally nonsense and in the end I will have to pay.
Stupid!
I really hate student loans, and I am sorry I ever got one.

Return of the Jilli

Today I have to go into the culinary arts building to pick up my uniform deposit.
One of my instructors, who is now chairman of the culinary program, called me to let me know it would be there for me; said it would be on his desk. A cheque is easily mailed. I know he is luring me into the den for questioning.
Like Luke Skywalker, I must face the head of the opposition, (who incidentally is not my father). He will try to lure me to the dark side...but I must be strong.
Its crazy how this simple task has me all nervous...this particular instructor can be a little bit in-your-face and I don't like having to defend my decisions.
I can only hope that I return with both hands in tact.

Warty Toe Woes

Remember my wart fiasco?

The battle has been ongoing for a couple years now. I tried Compound W, and I tried Oil of Oregano, and I tried...well, ok maybe that's all I tried, but these warts were resistant! And I'm not very persistent. I needed an assistant!

I took the step. I resolved to have them burned off at the walk-in clinic yesterday.
I called in the morning asking if there was any time for me to come in and get it done, and the lady assured me that there was plenty of room between 12pm and 1pm. I clipped my toenails, shaved my legs (sorry male readers, but facts are facts), and headed out.
When I arrived at the dimly lit waiting room, the beady-eyed woman at the reception desk told me quite firmly that there was no room before 3pm. Um...what? It's like 11am!
I put my name on the list, and decided to kill some time! Those warts were going down, if its the last thing I do!
Fortunately I got to meet up with my friend Rishelle, whom I haven't seen since her wedding in May, and we had a great visit over lunch.
I did some shopping, and generally just toodled around town until around 2:30, when I headed back to the clinic. The sign on the door read: Sorry! Walk-in is full for today. Good thing I had already put my name down!
I grabbed a cheesy magazine (there was very poor selection...I was disappointed) and hunkered down to wait.
I waited.
And waited.
Checked the clock. 4pm. UUUUGHHHH.
Annoying people sitting beside me.
Waiting.
Still waiting.
Everyone else is getting called in.
Finally! The receptionist called my name and led me down a narrow hallway to a examination room in the back. I sat in the chair and took off my sandal.
My foot was actually kind of disgusting. It had some weird black dirt on it, and various other goodies from walking around all day. Gross.
I frantically tried to rub it clean with my hand, and then when that proved unsuccessful, my purse. Haha...I know.
In the end, it was improved, but still looking like a dirty summer sandal foot.
If that's the way its gotta be, than that's the way its gotta be.
I resumed my waiting. After a long time, the doctor knocked and entered.
He was some kind of cross between a stereotypical grandfather and a mad scientist.
I showed him my warty foot, and he was like, "well lets see if these are actually warts, and not just callouses."
Ummm....excuse me??? I think I would know if they were just callouses!
He grabbed a little metal scraper and scraped at the warts until their full warty glory was revealed.
"Ah, yes," he said, "I can see the little black dots now. Those are definitely warts!"
Well now that we've got that cleared up...
"Have you ever had warts burned off with liquid nitrogen before?" He asked. "Its going to hurt a little bit."
Pain, schmain. I laugh in the face of pain.
The Doctor left the room and returned with a cannister, about the size of one of those old-fashioned milk cans. He twisted off the cap, and an eery tendril of wispy smoke escaped. I fidgeted nervously. He then proceeded to dip a large cotton swap into the nitrogen, until tiny ice crystals formed.
"Ok," He said, "I'm just going to freeze your warts, and hopefully they will be gone in about a week."
The swab swooped in and alighted on my bottom wart with a fearsome hiss.
At first it wasn't so bad. It felt a little bit like an ice cube.
Then it began to burn. Slightly uncomfortable.
Up and down, up and down, hiss, hiss, hiss!...I think the Doc was enjoying this a little too much.
My foot was getting sore now. The skin around the wart was more sensitive, and I was ready for this to stop.
"Yes, these are freezing very easily. That's good."
He dipped the swab a second time, and moved in on the second wart, on my toe.
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
Owwwwwiiieeeeee!
Hisssss! Hissss!
"Stop! Please! I'll tell you everything! I'll tell you whatever you want to know!"
Make sure you never entrust any top secret national security information to me, 'cause I won't last a minute under torture.
After what felt like a very long time, the nitrogen cannister was resealed, the swabs thrown away, and my wounds bandaged.
I bid farewell to the sadistic Doctor, and hobbled out of the clinic.
My foot was tender, and the warts were stinging. It doesn't hurt like a major wound, just like those nagging burns that I used to get in school all the time, except this time its on my foot, and there's no way to avoid contact with it!
Because they are on my right foot, driving is a bit uncomfortable.
They are better today, but still sore. The large one on the bottom of my foot has gone all white, and the others are still swaddled with a bandaid, bit I assume they look the same.
Hopefully they will be gone soon! Its time this war was finished!

Completion!

This came in the mail today....Not the flowers, just the shiny little folder with the gold embossed lettering. And inside it said this...
I was beginning to wonder if it would ever come. If maybe there had been some mistake, and I hadn't met some small-print requirement and therefore failed the entire year.
But it came.
And now I had something to show for all the blood, sweat, and tears, (and STRESS), that I experienced. Was it worth it? Did this fancy-schmancy piece of pulp validate me?

A little bit.

I'm glad I have tangible proof of my hard work. 'Cause I did work hard. Last year was probably my hardest-working year yet. And this certificate tells the world that I did what I set out to do.

Which was learn some sa-weet cooking skillz, and discover if this was the career for me!
Turns out it wasn't, but I did learn so much, that I don't regret doing the course at all. Do I regret dropping out of the program, and not entering the final semester?
Not at all!!
I'm keeping in contact with my classmates who have gone on to find out what level 3 is like, and sometimes I snicker to myself when I think of all the things I don't have to stress about.

My zest for culinary life has passed on, though I still enjoy eating just as much as ever (I love fooood!), and I'm not opposed to watching Hell's Kitchen on occasion, just to get a feel for what I'm (not) missing.

So I tuck this important document into my files, and smile when I think of the good times I had in culinary school, but I'm ready for the next adventure now. Can't wait til I figure out what that is!

EDIT: This is my 400th post! (For real, this time!)

HA! (yeah riiiiight!!!)

Your Career Personality: Independent, Flexible, and Ingenious

Your Ideal Careers: Astronaut Entrepreneur Lawyer Nightclub owner Photographer Private investigator Real estate developer Stand up comic Venture capitalist Video game developer

The Quick and Dirty Career Test

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

I've Got a Problem

While we're on the topic of my vices, and I'm looking for blog fodder, let me reveal one of my deep dark secrets.
I seriously doubt if even my mother knows the extent of this failing.

I am an obsessive compulsive picture-frame purchaser.
Have been for years.

The reason its such a well-kept secret is even worse.
I almost never actually put pictures in the frames!
Its sad and true. They languish in the dark recesses of my closet, un-photoed, and un-hung.
I tell myself regularly that I should print some photos off and fill some of these frames up, but I can never decide which photos to choose, and I can't bring myself to put holes in my wall. On top of that, the frames are all different shapes, sizes, colors, and styles, and I'm not sure how to arrange them so that they look good together.

Looking on the bright side, I'm still my frugal Dutch self, and I don't buy expensive frames. Usually my weakness kicks in near the sale rack. Can't pass up a good markdown, ya know what I mean?

Its kind of funny that I never realized how bad it had gotten until yesterday when I was searching my closet for something, and came upon boxes and boxes of stashed little frames, and larger ones tucked in behind other closet treasures. I thought to myself: this isn't good.

But I also told myself, when I move out I will actually put them up.
And I don't know if I'm lying to myself or not.

De-Caffienated

I love coffee.
I really do.
Its such a comforting little beverage. (does it qualify as a beverage?)
There is nothing sweeter than curling your fingers around a warm mug of the aromatic, dark brew. I drink mine with a bit of cream, or black if its really good stuff.
Ice-caps, Frapps, iced lattes, cappuccinos...I like them all.

I used to drink a lot of coffee, especially working at Tim Hortons, and while I worked at Camp Homewood in '07. Thinking back, I can't believe how much I drank. It was my liquid of choice. I'm sure it was not good for my heart. Maybe that's what started the problem...
About 2 years ago (after I left Homewood?) I began to notice some negative effects now and then. An inability to sleep at night, rapid heart beats, headaches.

Then I went to Ireland and drank black tea incessantly for 9 months. It wasn't a good scene, my friends. Drinking it at breakfast would give me a good kick in the pants, but I found that if I drank anything caffeinated after lunchtime, it was likely to keep me up into the wee hours of the morning, or at the very least, cause a very restless sleep. Sometimes I would wake up extremely early, and my heart would be racing...not cool.
Since then, I've decided to cut back. Most of the school year I went without, except for a few rough mornings in the kitchen. I substituted it for naturally caffeine-free teas so I could still have that warm drink on a cold day. I did especially well this spring and summer, slipping only occasionally for a nice cold ice-cap (its the drip coffee that does me the most harm, anyway).
And did you know that decaf coffee still has enough caffeine to cause addiction?
The problem is, I still love coffee, and I want to drink it! Most of the time I am pretty good about sticking to my decision, but I might occasionally ditch my caffeine-free morals and dive into a soothing foamy cafe latte! What can I say? I am mortal and weak. And I love my coffee.

Can't Even Think of a Good Title

Its over.
I've become that Boring Blogger.
I'm inconsistent, and when I actually hunker down and rap out a few words, its dull and uninteresting even to me...especially to me. I couldn't string together a few funny sentences if I tried, which I am just too unmotivated to do. The only reason I'm writing anything now is because of this cloud of blogging guilt that is hovering over me, raining down a storm of oblogation (hey I just came up with a new blogging term...maybe this was worth it after all?) whenever I sit at the computer.
Its not like I've been busy. And most of the time I blog best when I have waaaay too much time on my hands, and nothing really big is happening. Its the little things that can be fun to blog about.
Now I'm just sitting here, staring at the screen, willing it to inspire me.
Uuuuuuugh.

Its not working.
Sorry I wasted your time. But did I really? I mean, if you are here reading this, you know how meaningless my blog is, and you probably weren't expecting much anyway. You probably WANT to waste some time, right? RIGHT?
Is it worth clicking the little orange publishing button? I'm tempted to just delete this whole thing, and leave my blog un-updated until I actually have something to say.
But that would be against my policy.
I'm not quite sure what that policy is, but I am sure that deleting useless posts is against it.
So it is decided.

Have a nice day.

Forked

I'm at the fork in the road again.

I hate the fork in the road.

It means making decisions, and it means I have to decide what I want. And what I want may or may not exist in real life.

That is, a job that I love.

Last year I thought, "I will cook! Cooking will be great! I will love to cook!"
And I DO love to cook. But I am sometimes not a huge fan of working in a kitchen, sometimes. I definitely do NOT love line cooking. And frankly, I'm not enough of a perfectionist to go very far in it.

So I've crossed cooking as a career off my list.

And now that I'm not going back to school, I have to start looking at other options for this Fall.

Sometimes I think I want a job where I do not have to deal with people at all. People can be annoying, and demanding, and rude, and I don't like dealing with people like that. I just want to tell them to get over themselves and get a life. And that really wouldn't go over so well in a customer service type of job.

Other times I think I would go even crazier if I worked alone. Sometimes solitude isn't very healthy for me. I need other people around even if I don't interact with them, or else I just get really...weird. I can't explain it...all I know is, it isn't good.

I can't sit at a desk all day or I will be in physical pain 24/7, and if I'm running around on my feet all day, that can be just as bad. Am I just being difficult?

I want a job where it isn't just a job. I want to be of help to someone in some meaningful way. But I also want to be able to come home from work and not think about it. Is this realistic?

Right now I've just started working part-time as commercial janitor...its pretty mindless, simple work, but it does require attention to detail which I will have to improve in myself! For now, its ok, and it pays pretty good compared to what I'm used to. But its just a bandaid on my problem...I obviously can't/won't do this for the rest of my life. So what am I going to do?
I'm so envious of people who are ambitious and focused and get into what they want to do right out of highschool. They are already well on their way to accomplishing their goals...and I'm still drifting. I haven't really completed anything since highschool. Am I just going to wander aimlessly through life forever? I have even less of an idea of what I want to do now, than I did then! I just know more things that I don't want to do :P

I keep hoping that one day I will see something and get my "aha!" moment, but I'm beginning to wonder if there will realistically ever be a job that I'm excited about. Ever felt that way? Do you have a job (or know of a job) that gets you excited? What is it and why do you love it?

Married

Another one bites the dust...

My dear friend Liz Geddert is now Mrs. Liz Taylor, married to the real live Tim Taylor.
I would post more pictures but I didn't take any during the ceremony or reception, and I stole these ones from Rebekah who will probably be posting more soon anyway!

It was a really beautiful wedding, and probably the most unusual and unconventional one I will ever have the pleasure of attending! I appreciated how Liz and Tim got back to the basics and stuck with what was really important in a wedding, without all the frills and unnecessary traditions.

They are now honeymooning for 4 months, rockclimbing in various places across North America.
Normal life resumes for the rest of us.
School will start up next week for many, and the job hunt is on for the likes of me.
It will be an interesting Fall...

To Do

After kind of slacking off and not doing much more than (sort of) unpacking on Monday, I decided to be good and get things done yesterday. It went well.
But I realized my list is longer than I thought. There are those other To Do's that I didn't write down because, well, I don't want TO DO them. I'm such a huge procrastinator.
So today is dedicated to those unpleasant, unwanted chores.
I need some kind of reward for myself if I get them all done.

Here & There

After an impossibly long day of travel yesterday, I am back in Kamloops, but only for a very short period of time. In fact, I leave again tomorrow morning...Destination: Nordegg Alberta. Wherever that is! Myself and two great friends who happen to be fellow bridesmaids, are heading out to Frontier Lodge to be with Liz for her wedding on Saturday!
As I have far too many emotions swirling about my confused cranial at this time, my blogs will be short until next week. In fact, this might be the only post you get until then.
I'm borrowing my mom's camera for the weekend, so I will definitely post some pics of the trip...
Now I really need to get some stuff done.

I Feel We've Had Breakthrough Today

One of my earliest memories is a scary one. Until today I wasn't even sure it was a real memory, or just a nightmare I had once.
Every so often this memory comes to me, and I think, "Man, that is so freaky..."
It is scene that plays in my head, where a tall male mannequin magically comes to life in a department store. That's all that I remembered, but when I was little it scared me SO much, that I can still picture the mannequin quite clearly in my head, and for years I was wary of mannequins when my mom took us shopping to The Bay.

Well, oddly enough while Kate was writing "Today's Special" on the chalkboard menu, one of the instructors walked by and said, "Wow! That's what that show was called. I was just talking to someone and trying to explain this old 80's tv show to them, but I couldn't remember the name. It was called 'Today's Special!"
I asked him what the premise of the tv show was. He told me it was about a mannequin that came to life at night.

It was a turning point in my life.

At last I can be assured that this sick and twisted vision was not of my brain's own making. Instead I was only traumatized as a young child.
Here is a youtube clip of the show. Its so weird seeing this after all these years....maybe now I can begin to piece my life back together.

A Loss Keenly Felt

It was a great day and I was having fun.
Spending time with a wonderful friend on a beautiful beach.
The Ocean was warm, and we dipped in our toes, and then waded.
I fell in, and decided to go swimming.
We tossed our things on the shore and frolicked in the salty water, seaweed, and sand.
Splashing, dancing away from fish and crabs, laughing...never realizing the sinister force at work.
Time passes quickly when you're having fun. We finally turn back.
Where are our things?
A little worry grows. Did we leave them further up? Did we drift away from them? Did someone take our stuff?
I think it was here.
Karissa plunges a hand into the murky shallows, and retrieves a sopping, seaweedy mess.
Conflict of emotions:
Hurray we found our stuff! My glasses are not washed away!
Oh no! My camera...!
I open the case and a flood of seawater comes out.
The lens is swimming with liquid destruction.
Foul tide! Sneaky and silent and lethal as a ninja, Poseidon has claimed another victim.
No last pictures of friends around the lodge, no candid snaps at the upcoming wedding...
There will be a gaping hole, a festering wound, in my scrapbook of 2009.
This will be a loss keenly felt.