Only the Best (Poll Results)

Well, of the 11 of you who voted more than half of you have iPhones...not surprising. But what surprised me was that Blackberry only had one vote. I have a Samsung Galaxy S - which is an Android smartphone. I fear this will hinder my chances of getting a job at the Apple Store.

iPhone 7 (63%) 

Blackberry 1 (9%)

Other smart phone (android, windows etc) 1 (9%)

Other standard phone 3 (27%)

Don't have one 0 (0%)

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #112

In honour of the Red Hot Chili Peppers new release I'm With You today I'm going to make an all Red Hot playlist. I'm not going to pick any of the obvious singles, but other tracks that I love from various albums.

1. Nobody Weird like Me (Mother's Milk)

2. Breaking the Girl (Blood Sugar Sex Magik)

3. Tearjerker (One Hot Minute)

4. Falling Into Grace (One Hot Minute)

5. This Velvet Glove (Californication)

6. Right on Time (Californication)

7. Don't Forget Me (By the Way)

8. Venice Queen (By the Way)

9. Hey (Stadium Arcadium)

10. Brenden's Death Song (I'm With You)

Oh, did anyone else notice that this album isn't named after a track?

I'm not in love with the new album (yet) - it has some good tracks, but it wasn't love at first listen.

Which Side Are You On?

After being single for what I assumed would be forever I am now in a committed relationship...eek. I don't want to write too much about the personal side of that, but I do what to talk about what comes with this new found status.

Forever I was a champion of the single girl cause. A cheerleader for independent women and not settling for mediocre (this is why I've been single for so long). I feel like I still am all those things - but now I have a boyfriend.

I feel like I'm not ready to fully join the ranks of the committed couples just yet. Not because I am ashamed of the boy, but because people who have been in long-term relationships seem eager to do things with me all of the sudden and it's scary. Ahhhh! Double dates! I'm no longer a third wheel because I now have a significant other? Suddenly former co-workers want to meet up for drinks, "I'll bring my wife, you bring your boyfriend." Yikes!

I guess my fear is becoming one of those couples who just clings to other couples. Single friends are to be feared and pitied. The good thing is that my boy's job kind of prevents that from happening because he is away a lot - so I'm still doing things solo a lot.

Anyways, I guess what I'm saying is that I'm in this relationship with someone I care about and it's a good thing, but I still have to hold onto a few of my single-girl things. Not actually acting like a single girl, but more the ideals. I can let go of the bitterness that sometimes comes with singledom, but still feel like I'm me. Does that make sense?

I'm not sure any of this makes sense - it's something I'm trying to work out for myself.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #111

Thinking about my post yesterday I've made this week's playlist about inspiring words (well, lyrics and song titles). As cheesy as it sounds, we could all use a little hope and love in our lives. I don't feel like these need much of an explanation.

1. Today I'm Gonna Try and Change the World by Johnny Reid

2. I Don't Sleep, I Dream by R.E.M. -

3. All You Need is Love by The Beatles

4. The Canadian Dream by Sam Roberts

5. It's Not the End of the World by Danny Michel

6. Love is the Answer by Weezer

7. Believe by Moneen

8. With a Little Help from my Friends by Joe Cocker (cover)

9. Help by Wil

10. Open Arms by Hey Rosetta!

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."
- Jack Layton, from his final letter to Canadians.

I'm All Right, Jack.

Today I am sad. I'm sad because life is unfair sometimes. My favourite Canadian politician and leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada (and leader of the opposition) has passed away from cancer today.

I needed Jack Layton because with him in Ottawa I felt safe - I felt like he was speaking for me. For the young people trying to make it in this country. For the working class. For the elderly trying to live off meager pensions. Jack was the voice of the voiceless, and he made sure he was heard.

I was in England when I found out the election results in May of this year. I was shocked and elated when I found out he was the new official opposition leader and that his party won a record number of seats in Parliament. Finally, he got a job where he could really make a difference. This only adds to my heartbreak today over his passing. He fought so hard for everything. It seems so unfair.

When I received the text from a friend this morning that he died I felt vulnerable. I felt like it was all over - that everything Jack fought for would be lost without him. No one left to stand between me and Prime Minister Harper.

But then I read Jack's final letter to Canadians. It reminded me that we can still fight for the things we want. One battle was lost, but there are plenty left to win. It's not over...there is still so much we can do.

Cancer doesn't discriminate - even the most charismatic and passionate people can be taken by this terrible disease. I have witnessed people win and lose this battle - my own father included (who is alive today). I had a recent experience where I was screened for a certain type of cancer, and even though I knew there was nothing to worry about I still had those "what ifs" in the back of my mind. I am healthy, but not everyone is so lucky.

In a month I am running my second Terry Fox Run, and this year I'll be running for Jack and every Canadian who's fought and lost, and fought and won.

I don't really know what else to say about this. I don't have the words. Today Canada lost a class act in parliament and regardless of your political alignments he should and will be honoured as one of the greatest politicians this country has ever seen. He will not be forgotten.

I'll leave you with a photo I just took on my phone of a post-it that came in a NDP mailing years ago. It's been stuck to my mirror since I got it.

A message that should be honoured and carried forward:

There is so much we can do! Thank you Jack!

Project Lady Grey

I was in Toronto on Tuesday to see the musical adaption of Billy Elliot (excellent, by the way) and we stopped at Urban Outfitters before the show.

I bought a sweater - it's a coral/orange colour and I love it - but that's not what I'm here to write about - I'm here to write about photography.

Urban Outfitters is pretty much a store for hipsters, so naturally they have a huge selection of old school-like photography stuff. Holga cameras, Instamatics (I wanted one of these so badly, but couldn't justify the cost), and rolls of 35mm film. I saw a bin near the cash of packages of black and white film called "Lady Grey" made by lomography. I felt a tinge of nostalgia and picked it up as if it were a chocolate bar or a pack of gum. A last minute purchase just before it was my turn at the cash.

When I was in high school, and had no debt, I bought a very expensive Canon Rebel SLR. This was pre-digital in terms of SLR technology. Yes - it was a film camera. I used it for fun mostly, but in university it was handy when I took an introductory photography class as an elective in first year. I babied it - it was one of my first major purchases as a young adult and I was so proud to own it.

But of course times changed and digital came in and film seemed old-fashioned. I had a digital point-and-shoot and pretty much gave up on film. In fact my camera bag has at least four rolls of unused colour film in it.

Lately I've been thinking about how the reasons we take photos have changed. My generation - the Facebook generation - takes photos not to print for albums and frames, but to post on our walls and tag all our friends. These photos rarely exist in a physical form. These photos require no skill really, and our quite often forgotten shortly after they're posted.

I am still going to take photos at parties and post them with funny captions and tags, but I also want to stay true to my love of photography and try to take three rolls (that's how many came in the pack) of this black and white film and hope something turns out.

I'll post the results when I have all three rolls developed. Wish me luck in my super hipster-ish endeavor.

Sweet & Salty (Poll Results)

Not sure what I was trying to prove with this poll - maybe just justifying my sweet addiction!

Sweet
4 (33%)

Salty
2 (16%)

Both
6 (50%)

Favourite snack foods?

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #110

So tonight I'm going to see the stage production of Billy Elliot. I am so exited. I love the movie, so I hope the musical is everything I hope for and more! In honour of this story of a boy who just wants to dance, here are 10 tracks with dancing in the title.

1) I Like to Boogie by T-Rex - This is from the film Billy Elliot. He brings this cassette with him when the teacher offers to give him private ballet lessons. They dance to this song.

2) Tiny Dancer by Elton John - Who can resist singing along (Almost Famous style) to this song?

3) Just Dance by Lady GaGa - Kind of an obvious selection, I know.

4) Safety Dance by Men without Hats - "You can dance if you want to, you can leave you cares behind!"

5) Baby Don't Dance by Mother Mother - Not everyone likes to dance.

6) Moondance by Van Morrison - If you're shy, dance in the moonlight.

7) Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys - I heard this on the radio at the hair salon yesterday. I think it fits here.

8) I'm Happy Just to Dance with You by The Beatles - <3

9) Blood is on the Dance floor by Michael Jackson - Not the best song about a dancing experience, but it's a good song to dance to.

10) Boogie Down by MGMT - I know most of these are not ballet worthy, but whatever!

My Unpublished Letter to The Editor

As many of you know, I was egged not long ago...and a year ago...and the year before that. I wrote about these eggings HERE and HERE. The day after I wrote a letter to my local paper's Letters to The Editor section. After checking every Wednesday edition for the past month my letter is nowhere to be found. Because I think it's clever and people need to know about this type of violence (oh, being egged hurts, dammit...physically and emotionally) I will share this letter with you now:

Egg on Your Face

Attention parents of [my hometown]: Do you notice that your carton of eggs disappears along with your car keys late at night? Perhaps it’s time to have the talk with your kids. The talk about how to be a good citizen. You might even have to bust out the old, “There are starving children in Africa” bit - whatever it takes. You see, while you’re tucked into bed, with your alarm set to get up for work the next morning, your kids might be burning expensive gas, while their accomplice waits, with a carton locked and loaded, for innocent people to walk by.


I have been this victim. Three times. All in this city that I’ve called home for 27 years. Being hit by an egg might seem like a hilarious joke to some, but ask anyone who’s been hit and they’ll tell you there’s nothing funny about it. It’s a scary, humiliating and messy experience. The fact that people in this city actually drive around with eggs with the intention to throw them at strangers sickens me. Why isn’t there something better for these teens to do? They have licenses but nowhere to go (apparently), so some just drive around looking for trouble. It isn’t always eggs, I’ve been yelled out from car windows, honked at for no reason - basically anything that would scare a person walking home after dark. I have tolerated this behaviour and brushed it off as just kids blowing off steam, but I draw the line when objects are thrown at me.


So maybe it isn’t the parents I should be addressing, but the kids themselves. Perhaps you need to take a good long look at yourself and think about the kind of person you want to be when you finally (if ever) grow up. Do you want your memories of your youth to be filled with nights of pointlessly driving around looking for trouble? I didn’t get a license plate number this time, but next time I will.


Perhaps it was too sarcastic for my conservative city.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #109

While searching through my iTunes library I noticed there are a lot of songs with "honey" in the title. So, that is what this list is.

1) Honey, Honey by Feist - I know this is unrelated, but Feist is finally putting out a new album this fall. I am so excited. I have said this before, and will say it again - I want to be Feist. I love this song though.

2) Honey by Moby - I used to love this album by Moby back in the day. I dug out this CD recently just for a flashback.

3) Honey Pie by The Beatles - Gotta include a Fab Four song for good measure.

4) Dead Honey by Die Manniquin - Not sure what "dead honey" is - but I assume it's not good.

5) Slow Like Honey by Fiona Apple - This is an artist I'd love to hear some new material from soon. I used to listen to this album on repeat once upon a time.

6) Me in Honey by R.E.M. - I love it when Michael sings with Kate Pearson (B52s).

7) The Honeypot by USS - Not my favourite Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker track, but it's pretty typical of their style.

8) Sex, Love and Honey by Raine Maida - I think I prefer his solo work to his stuff with Our Lady Peace.

9) Honeybear by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - I have a teddy bear named Honey Bear - I've had him since birth. I know that's unrelated to this song, but whenever I see this title I think of him.

10) Syrup and Honey by Duffy - "Don't you be wasting your money on syrup and honey, 'cause I'm sweet enough." Ain't it the truth :P

Yesterday Was a Good, Good Day!

You know the saying, "My day can only better from here?" or something to that effect? Well, yesterday that wasn't just an empty statement - it was an amazing day.

I'll tell you what happened first, the thing that wasn't so amazing. I woke up when I was supposed to be at work. I open the cafe on Mondays and Thursdays alone - and those are the days milk is delivered. I usually get up at 5 am - yep it's pretty awful. But on Wednesday night one of my neighbours was sawing into the wee hours and my window was open. Sleep was nearly impossible.

So I turned off my TWO alarms I had set and fell back asleep. I basically stole borrowed a car and went to work. I was extremely frazzled because the milk man was waiting for me.  I texted the boy to tell him about the shitty start to my day. An hour later he was in the cafe with his co-worker to get coffee - which was not on the way to where they were going I don't think. That was a nice surprise considering he's going away for work for a week.

After work I had planned to meet an old co-worker for lunch to catch up. This guy is from my former life in publishing and in addition to being a super nice guy, he is also a good connection to have. He's started his own design business and might have some freelance copywriting jobs for me. I don't want to jinx it - but it was a promising "business" lunch. I also had a really good meal - orzo with a cream sauce, shrimp, asparagus and cauliflower. I miss my old life sometimes - I really need to get back into my field. I left that lunch feeling great.

Later that evening I met two friends for dinner and drinks at the pub. I was feeling great from my lunch meeting, so was in the mood to celebrate. I had my usual chicken curry and Stella - and told my friends about my shitty day that turned awesome. We ended up staying at that pub till after 11, then moved to a different pub till last call. I haven't had a night out with my friends like that in a long time. I laughed so much, it was a great night.

I know I said I probably wouldn't write about my relationship on here much, but this is something I've been pondering. My former co-worker asked me how long I'd been with my boyfriend and I didn't have a definite answer. It's a grey area. I mentioned this to the girls at dinner and my one friend (who just celebrated her 8-year anniversary with her boyfriend) asked me when he and I would celebrate our anniversary. I said I didn't really care about stuff like that - I'm not that kind of girl really. She thought I was weird. Am I weird because I don't know the exact day we became more than friends? In my defense, I asked him and he didn't seem to have an answer either. So I think we're both okay with not knowing and just rolling with it.

Okay, that is all for today! Hope today is like yesterday!

It's Getting Hot In Here...(Poll Results)

Most of you prefer to wear less clothing during a heat wave. Makes sense.

Air Conditioning!
4 (44%)

Pool
3 (33%)

Lake/River/Ocean etc.
4 (44%)

Patio with a cold beverage
3 (33%)

Fan
3 (33%)

Hang out in the basement
2 (22%)

Go somewhere further north
3 (33%)

Cold shower/bath
5 (55%)

Wear less clothing
6 (66%)

Ice cream!
4 (44%)

Drink water
4 (44%)

No need, I love the heat.
1 (11%)

Other
1 (11%)

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #108

I think this list marks the first time that I've made a playlist that I actually burned to a CD for a purpose. The boy and I are supposed to go to the driving range today (he loves golf, I like to hit things...it works). So I made us a mix CD of songs I currently love and I want him to hear. I've been embracing a lot of his hobbies - darts, pool, golf-ish...so it's only fair that he embrace one of mine: Music. I hope to give him a musical education on our drive today.

He might be better at golf than me, but I know my tunes.

1) Arlandria by Foo Fighters - Love this song! It's a good driving song I think.

2) Calm Me Down by Mother Mother - I'm seeing this band in September and I feel he should give them a listen too.

3) I Believe in You by Black Dub - I know I've used this song before in list, but I really want him to hear this band so I can brag about meeting Daniel Lanois when I was 11.

4) The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie by Red Hot Chili Peppers - I know the radio is already over-killing this song, but this band has been pretty important to me over the years, so he needs to hear the new single.

5) Seeds by Hey Rosetta! - Love their new album! I'm so happy for this band for finally getting so real recognition. I've been listening them for years...'cause I'm such a hipster.

6) The Last Song Ever Written by Stars - I love Stars, and this song is pretty good for driving.

7) Zero Orchestra by Matthew Good - Matt Good put out a new album and I don't think it's receiving much press, but it's a decent release.

8) Awake my Soul by Mumford and Sons - I know this album has been out for a while, but I really love this song.

9) Alligater-Aviator-Autopilot-Antimatter by R.E.M - Oh yeah, this song had to make the cut.

10) The Last Crusade by Sam Roberts - My real BF needs to get acquainted with one of my fake boyfriends.

Hopefully we have a pleasant drive (If we go).