Holy Crap! I Almost Forgot About my Poll Results!

Two week's ago I asked what things you were most looking forward to this Spring.

Easter
3 (23%)

Flowers
6 (46%)

Birds singing
5 (38%)

Green grass
4 (30%)

Warmer weather
8 (61%)

Lighter clothing
6 (46%)

Spring fashion
1 (7%)

April showers
1 (7%)

School ending
1 (7%)

Riding your bike
3 (23%)

Getting outside more/going for walks
8 (61%)

Other
1 (7%)

A Cute Puppy, A Sweet Concert, A Classic Movie, a Fruity Martini and the Never-ending Birthday Party

I have a lot of fun things planned for the next four days....but first thing's first: My parents got a puppy.

Meet Chester!

If you follow my collab blog - The Transatlantic Support Group - you would have already seen a photo of him. He's pretty adorable, right?

Okay - so tomorrow I'm catching the train to Toronto to meet up with my friend and we're going to see the band Guster. Should be a fun night of music! Unfortunately we'll probably have to catch the last train home or wait for the horrible bus.

On Friday I have to work in the afternoon so she can hangout at my house while I'm gone or walk to the mall or something. But we'll do stuff when I get home. She has a 101 Before 1001 list (I have one too, but It's been a while since I crossed anything off) and one of her list items is to watch some classic old movies (5 or 10 I can't remember how many she said). Anyways, Citizen Kane is one of those movies that's always at the top of every movie "best of" list and is considered to be the best film ever made - and yeah, neither of us have seen it. It's silly because it's about a guy who runs a newspaper and her and I both studied some form of print media. How is it that we haven't seen this movie yet? So I rented it today and we're going to finally see it. Friday night movie night! Woo! Also, I can't remember the last time I was in Blockbuster to rent a movie. Isn't that weird?

I booked Saturday off and we'll probably do some shopping and stuff during the day and the plan is to go out for fancy martinis at night. We were gonna get more dressed up but it's still cold here. Maybe we'll meet up with some other friends as well - who knows.

Sunday I'll drop her off at the train in the afternoon. I'll spend the rest of the day resting and maybe chillin' with my little man Chester.

I consider this weekend to be the official kick off of my two-week birthday extravaganza. No matter how hard I try this happens every year. I can't seem to just do one thing for my birthday with all my loved ones - it always ends up being split into many small gatherings. I may be getting too old for this stuff.

Other birthday-related activities:

1) Pedicure next Wednesday

2) Dessert and drinks with friends next Friday

3) The Tim Burton Exhibit with my brother and his girlfriend next Sunday

4) Quiz Night next Monday (I intend to make it all about me that night...just kidding).

5) Real Birthday on April 12 - where I will post my birthday playlist consisting of songs from my loyal readers! I'll also probably have dinner with my parents that night.

6) Other random stuff with friends TBD.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #90

I've done playlists about bands I've seen live, I've done playlist about bands I want to see live, but I haven't ever done a playlist about the opening bands I've seen. The opening act can be either horribly disappointing or surprisingly amazing. I've experienced both. This list will consist of opening bands I enjoyed.

1) I Feel You by Sam Roberts - This is his latest single that will be on his 4th full length album due this May. But back when he just had a 6 song EP he opened for the Tragically Hip. He didn't sound as good as he does now.

2) Manifest Destiny by Guster - I saw Guster open for Sam Roberts in September 2003 when I was just starting university. They definitely impressed me and my friend Amanda, and we saw them the following April. We're seeing them again this Thursday!

3) Who's Gonna Miss You? by Danny Michel - To continue the chain, I saw Danny open for Guster in April 2004. I've been a fan ever since.

4) The Stand by Mother Mother - I saw them open for Matthew Good in December 2009. They're such a fun and energetic band, you can't help but be sucked in.

5) Hands Down by Dashboard Confessional - They opened for U2 when I saw them and even though they catch a lot of shit for being "emo" or whatever, they were pretty good live.

6) No One Knows by Queens of the Stone Age - They opened for Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2003 and they're pretty awesome.

7) Since We've Been Wrong by The Mars Volta - I'm not actually that into this band, but they put on a crazy good instrumental jam session when they opened for RHCP in 2006.

8) Not Coming By by Emma-lee - This singer-songwriter from Toronto blew me away with her vocals. She opened for Danny Michel just this January and I can't wait for her new album to come out because most of the songs she played haven't been recorded yet.

9) Tight Fist by Wil - Wil was an unassuming guy with thick rimmed plastic glasses, on stage with an acoustic guitar until he started playing with such intensity I was a bit creeped out - but also impressed. He's from Calgary and can do some crazy shit with just one guitar.

10) At Your Funeral by Saves the Day - I saw them open for Weezer years ago. I bought their T-shirt and everything.

Reasons Why I Need a New Job

On Wednesday a huge snow storm hit my city - it literally snowed, non-stop, all day! It was miserable to walk in.

I hate snow in March!

Lucky for me, I had yesterday off and I stayed home all day, not once stepping outside into the cold. We're pretty much done with winter here in Southern Ontario.

Today I worked a six hour shift by myself and so many strange people came in.

• There was a strangely serious couple in the corner who seemed both quite upset and were possibly breaking up. Well, that is what I thought until they both got out laptops. Not sure what they were so serious about. They were sitting really close to the bean grinders and I hesitated to go over there until I absolutely had to.

• The stupid teenaged girl who started laughing uncontrollably when she saw that our tip cup said "Thanks a Latte." I know it's cheesy, but it's not that funny. At all.

• The strange guy who was working on something at his computer but then got up and walked in circles while flipping the pages of a notebook loud and dramatically. He seemed a bit nervous and kept drumming his fingers in the table.

• The pathetic high school boy who hangs out with this super annoying loud talking girl who doesn't shut up. What is up with the annoying high school girls today? She never buys anything either.

• The usually weirdos came in as well - Creepy George and Commander Crazytown.

My only conciliation was that I got some good tips today. I feel I earned them after serving all these people today. I keep thinking about my trip and how it's still over a month away. I want it to be now.

Sorry this post wasn't all that exciting. I have some fun things coming up soon, so my updates will get more interesting soon!

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #89

This week's theme is songs about flowers and Spring! It's just about here so let's look forward to gardens and sunshine!

1. Blue Orchid by The White Stripes - Not my favourite White Stripes song, but it's decent and it has a flower in the title.

2. Desert Rose by Sting - Am I lame for liking this song?

3. Morning Glory by Oasis - Not the same kind of "morning glory" that I'm referring to I don't think.

4. Roses and Blue Jays by Buck 65 - I love this song by Buck 65.

5. Oleander by Mother Mother - I just bought Eureka (their latest album) and I can't stop listening! It's so good. This is one of the many amazing songs on it.

6. Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations - This song makes me think of There's Something About Mary.

7. Asking for Flowers by Kathleen Edwards - Not the happiest of songs, but the title works with the theme.

8. Was it Something I Said? by Brandon Flowers - Get it? His last name is Flowers.

9. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles - Strawberry plants have flowers.

10. The First Day of Spring by The Gandharvas - And Sunday was the first day of Spring!

I asked a few of you for birthday playlist song suggestions - so if you've got any in mind email them to me. I'll open this up to anyone who reads this blog. Link to my email in the sidebar! Songs you think I'd like, or songs that make you think of me or my blog or birthday type songs. You have a few weeks to com up with something. Thanks :)

Also, Happy Birthday today to my real friend and blog friend Rob!

Writing: The Old-Fashioned Way

"All great writers begin with a good leather binding and a respectable title."

- J.M. Barrie, Finding Neverland

I bought a journal. A real journal. One with a rich blue embossed cover and silver edged pages. This is going to be the place where I write about my trip in May. I'm not planning on bringing my laptop and my internet use will be limited, as I feel I shouldn't fly across the Atlantic Ocean just to sit indoors on a computer.

I stood in the journal aisle of the bookstore for longer than one should. I contemplated size, portability, price, paper quality, bindings, design and thickness. I picked them up, I flipped through them, I got a feel for them. Can I write in this on a plane? On a bus? While sitting in a park? Can I write in this in a cafe while drinking tea and eating a scone with jam and clotted cream? Will the ink from my pen bleed through the pages? These are all things I considered when choosing my journal.

When I went to England with my family in 2003 I brought a journal. I recorded where we went, what we saw, eat, drank and where we slept. This trip will be less of a whirlwind and I plan to sit back and experience it and reflect after. I won't be blogging - but I'll use my notes and entries to help me formulate posts later.

I will take photos, but I also want to make sure I look at things with my own eyes. Experience what is right in front of me instead of being consumed by capturing the moment for later. I want to immerse myself in the scenery. I want to blend into the streetscape.

I know my trip is still over a month away, but I can't help but imagine what it will be like to be there on my own.

"But I wish Kyle would revel a bit more in the fact that we're in a country that is not the one he grew up in. The only time he ever gets stoked is when he finds things or people that remind him of home." 

- The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland

Fun Fun Fun!

I'm being lame and staying in on a Saturday night, but I have a good excuse (this time) - I'm saving money for all the fun things I have coming up!

Bath, UK.

This Week Coming Up

• Getting my hair cut and coloured on Tuesday night. I love getting my hair done - it's such a treat for me. I get to hang out with my Argentinean friend Pablo while he makes me look pretty. 

• I might get together with an old co-worker from back in the day when I had a real-ish job at a magazine. He was the art director - we didn't really work together on anything directly, but it was a small office and he sat not far from me (well, we all sat near each other). He's since gotten married and started his own business, so we have lots to catch up on. Good for networking too - it's important to stay in touch with these people. Hoping to get together Thursday.

Next Week

• On Thursday, March 31, my friend Amanda is taking the train here so we can go to see the band Guster in Toronto. She'll be visiting me for a few days and we a few fun things planned for the weekend.

• Martini's at a semi-classy place with Amanda. We tried to do this when I visited her in Belleville, but it didn't work out because most of downtown Belleville shuts down on Sunday.

• Watch an old movie. Amanda has a goal on her 101 list to watch more old movies. We might rent Citizen Kane or Casablanca (though I've seen that).

April

• Do something to celebrate my birthday.

• Go to the Tim Burton Exhibit in Toronto with my brother.

• Celebrate Easter with my family - eat lots of chocolate, of course.

May

• Travel to Bath, UK (VIA London) to visit my cousin and his wife and their puppy. So exciting!

Are you looking forward to anything fun this Spring?

Kiss Me I'm Irish(ish)

I painted my nails today - Jade is the New Black

Do you like my outfit?

I'm not sure if I'll be going out or not - but at least I'm being festive, right?

Why You Read Blogs (Poll Results)

I like reading about other people's lives.
7 (100%)

I like learning new things.
4 (57%)

they make me laugh.
6 (85%)

I can relate to other bloggers.
7 (100%)

they're entertaining.
5 (71%)

Other
2 (28%)

A few of you voted "other" - what other reasons do you have for wanting to read blogs?

Also, I asked this on 20 Something Bloggers, but how do you read blogs? Do you have a method, routine?

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #88

In honour of St. Paddy's Day this week, here is a playlist of songs related to the colour green.

1. Green Eyes by Coldplay - Green is an eye colour. Happens to be my eye colour.

2. Fiddler’s Green by The Tragically Hip - Green can be a place.

3. Welcome to Paradise by Green Day - Green can be a band name.

4. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M. - Green can be the title of a much beloved album.

5. Let’s Stay Together by Al Green - Green can be a surname.

6. Green River by Creedance Clearwater Revival - Green can be the colour of water.

7. Green Onions by Booker T & The MGs - Green can be the colour of some vegetables.

8. Green Gloves by The National - Green can be the colour of accessories, such as gloves.

9. Hash Pipe by Weezer - Green can be the unofficial title of an album.

10. The Orange and The Green by The Irish Rovers - Green can be part of a flag, representing a religion.

Good Dog

I walked out into the midday sun - the air was cool, but no wind. A dog was sitting outside the cafe, tied to nothing, with his (or her) leash under his paw. His owner came out shortly after and proceeded to walk up the street with the dog carrying his own leash in his mouth. The dog was walking himself. The kind of thing that makes a girl like me say, "awww." The two just walked up the street while the owner drank his coffee - the dog never left his side.

I cut through some buildings and side streets and walked along the bike path home. When I re-joined the main road I crossed paths with the pair again. The dog was still walking himself and still walking next to his owner, not even stopping to sniff hydro poles and stop signs.

There's something attractive about a guy with a dog - especially one so well trained and trusting. I can see why some guys believe that dogs help them pick up girls. I feel like it shows they are capable of caring for someone. I can also see why a girl might be jealous of a boy's love for his dog - "You love that dog more than you love me!"

That was just a little moment I witnessed today - a young man and the most well-trained dog I've ever seen.

At The Lonely End of The Rink

I'm in a rainy day mood. I'm dogsitting for a few days, so I'm not at home. The dog is in a rainy day mood too - he's lying on his bed. I can hear cars driving by, splashing water as they drive by. The cold March rain is the worst. It's cold and damp - a chill you can only fight by burying yourself deep beneath the covers.

I made tea this morning and mistook salt for sugar. That's how my morning started - how's your day going?

Anyways, I was on YouTube last night - the most viewed video (at least in Canada) was Zdeno Chara's hit on Max Pacioretty. For most of you those names mean nothing. They're hockey players - for Boston and Montreal respectively. I saw the video and I feel like people are probably watching it for the wrong reasons. I felt really scared and sad when I saw it. When you see a player hit the boards like that and just land limp on the ice, helmet pushed up, it's a scary image.

I feel like people are watching this video over and over again for the same reasons they're watching clips of Charlie Sheen - people enjoy watching others get hurt. People are probably laughing. Like, "holy shit, did you see that?"

A young player broke his neck - and the reality is he may never play again. Why are we so desensitized to these things? I know he's a professional athlete, and that the risks come with the territory - but there has to be a point where violence doesn't equal entertainment. As Canadians we are raised to love a good hockey fight. A dirty hit isn't a good hockey fight. I know I'm not alone in this, as several other players have spoken up and said their disappointed that the league hasn't suspended Chara. Intentional or not, someone's seriously hurt and a five minute major doesn't seem like enough.

I suppose it's okay to watch these things out of curiosity. You heard a news story and you want to see it for yourself. I get it. I just feel like nothing shocks people anymore.

So that's my rainy day mood...a sad story about a hockey injury.

Stampin' the Old Passport

I did it! I bought plane tickets to London for the first week of May! Yep, this girl is going to the UK (again). Specifically, I'm travelling to Bath, England to visit my cousin and his wife and their dog Mack. I'm nervous, excited, worried (about money, mostly) - but it will be fantastic.

Oh, and Kim - thank you for the suggestions of things to see. I'm definitely going to try to check out the costume museum.

In other news, I'm finally getting over this awful cold I had. Hmm, I really wish I had more to report.

Oh, I'll share a quote from one of my customers yesterday:

"It's going to be a nice day, I heard it's gonna get up to zero."

I love Canada and Canadians. My parents do nothing but complain about winter - so it's refreshing to hear this kind of optimism about the weather here.

OH! I got the new R.E.M. album in the mail this morning! It came out today and I had pre-ordered it. I hadn't expected to get it today! So exciting! I'm listening to it now. So good.

Sorry I don't have more to share today...I just really wanted to tell you guys I booked my flights!

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #87

This list is part of a group effort started by Liz at Dance to the Radio Thanks for including me in this Liz! She joins up with Mike from This Song Starts a Craze to make these Monday Mixes and since I do something similar on Tuesdays they asked if I wanted to join in this week.

Her theme was for us all to write playlists about rebellion, protest and damning the man!

So damn the man, save the Empire!

1. Revolution by The Beatles - I thought I’d kick this off with a classic song from the era that has come to represent protest and change.

2. Masters of War by Bob Dylan - This is one of Bob Dylan’s most angry “protest” songs from his early years. He’s basically calling out the politicians that create and profit off of war.

3. Politik by Coldplay - This was written about making trade fair.

4. Zombie by The Cranberries - This song is about the conflicts in Ireland between Northern Ireland and England - IRA bombings and such.

5. If God’s on Your Side by Danny Michel - I’ve used a lot of songs by Danny Michel - he’s pretty local. This song criticizes the use of religious rhetoric in war. He says, “If God’s on your side, then who’s on mine?”

6. Working Class Hero by John Lennon - This song is a critique of capitalism and how those in power make it seem like it’s easy for everyone to make something of themselves.

7. Straight to Hell by The Clash - This one is about the Vietnam war and criticizes Western culture. “It ain’t Coca-cola, it’s rice.”

8. Oh Canada by Kathleen Edwards - This song is specifically about a news story from a few years back. On boxing day not long ago a girl was shot and killed outside of a large shopping centre in downtown Toronto. That year gun murders were at an all time high and the local media was calling it “The Year of the Gun.” Kathleen’s song is basically about how the media used this white girl’s death as an example, while the murders of minorities rarely made the front page. Basically she’s calling out the media in this song.

9. The Vancouver National Anthem by Matthew Good - This song is about Vancouver’s east side. There is a huge problem with homelessness and drugs in this area. Matthew Good is from Vancouver and is extremely political. This song is him criticizing how the local government doesn’t do much to solve this problem.

10. Killing in the Name of by Rage Against the Machine - This is probably the strongest example I have of a “damn the man” type song. Saved it for last. I know Mike included this on in his list - but it’s worth mentioning again.

Please check out Liz and Mike's lists HERE!

Sick Daze

I slept for nearly 13 hours last night. You'd think that this would be some sort of miracle cure, but apparently not. I had no other choice but to call in sick today. I was pretty sick back in December, but I definitely did not feel this shitty. I haven't felt this bad in such a long time. Fever, chills, sore throat, stuff nose, headache, you name it.

I shouldn't be so dramatic - I'm actually feeling better. Normally I just soldier on and go to work sick, but today I knew that just wasn't possible. I think taking days off to recuperate is important - 'cause it gives me one extra day of rest and now I can go to work tomorrow and not feel like I'm going to faint.

What did I do on my sick day?

• I caught up on TV shows - House and Modern Family.

• I drank orange juice and ate toast.

• I drank tea (wait, I do that everyday).

Yeah, that's pretty much all I did. Don't judge me! Sick days aren't about productivity - they're about rest! And rest I did.

I hope this is my last major illness for the season...hell...for the year. After the winter I've had (heath-wise) I feel I'm entitled to a happy and healthy Spring and Summer.

What do you do on your sick days?

Award Shows Suck? (Poll Results)

The Academy Awards
1 (14%)

The Golden Globes
1 (14%)

The Emmys
0 (0%)

The Tonys
0 (0%)

The Grammys
0 (0%)

The MTV Movie Awards
0 (0%)

The MTV Music Awards
0 (0%)

The Junos (Canadian Music Awards)
2 (28%)

The Geminis (Canadian Television Awards)
0 (0%)

The Genies (Canadian Film Awards)
0 (0%)

The Brit Awards
1 (14%)

Other
0 (0%)

I don't Watch Any
4 (57%)

Too sick to comment on this...

In Like a Lioness

So the saying goes that March goes in like a lion, out like a lamb, right? Well it's March 1 and the weather is actually getting nicer where I live. The only thing under the weather is me. (I'm not funny).

Yeah, so here we go again - I'm sick again. It's been a cruel winter this year for me health-wise. Tomorrow is my day off and I've been pretty dedicated to being somewhat productive on these days - to give myself a reason to get up in the morning. Tomorrow I might have to just give myself a reason to sleep in. My throat hurts and my head aches. I just feel like I could fall asleep standing up.

I'm still going to attempt to do yoga. I was going to try this new DVD I bought - a yoga/dance type workout. I may have to save that one for a week.

I also have to be a grown-up and get my tax stuff in order so I can file mine soon. I'm hoping for a generous return.

March is sorta a "blah" month - but I am excited for St. Patrick's Day. I love the festivities - I don't care if you're really Irish or not, as long as you join in the spirit of things! I love potatoes and green things! At the end of the month I'm going to a concert with my friend in Toronto - we're seeing Guster.

Won't be that bad of a month.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #86

My inspiration for this playlist is lounges and martini bars. I imagined a dimly lit room, leather couches, candle lit tables - that sort of thing. I tried to pick songs that are a bit funky, a bit slow, and totally chilled out.

1) I Believe in You by Black Dub - I recently started getting into Daniel Lanois's new band and I'm quite liking it.

2) Lotus Flower by Radiohead - I may have used this playlist as an excuse to use this song in a playlist.

3) Too Afraid to Love You by The Black Keys - Black Keys are perfect for this list - with that gritty, bluesy sound of theirs.

4) Pants on Fire by Buck 65 - Overall I'm not a big fan of hip hop, but I do love Buck 65.

5) Let the Drummer Kick by Citizen Cope - Believe it or not I discovered this song in an episode of Entourage. It's very chill.

6) Mediocre Bad Guys by Jack Johnson - This song has a bit more attitude than most of his other songs.

7) Murderers by John Frusciante - This is an instrumental, but it's pretty cool.

8) Sunday Morning by k-os - "Everyday is Saturday night, but I can't wait for Sunday morning."

9) Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin - I know I'm being weird sticking a classic in here, but it's pretty slick.

10) This is Hardcore by Pulp - This one is perfect for the end of the night. You know, when your mascara is sufficiently smudged and you're ready to call a cab.

Next week: If you follow several music bloggers you might be in for a treat... that's all I'm gonna say.