Au Revior 2012!

I've already been through this - 2012 blew huge! I have no New Year's Eve plans aside from sweatpants and two seasons of Boardwalk Empire on DVD. No dresses and heels this year!

Boxing Day gifts to myself!

But I did have a fun night out last night. Forever my co-workers and I have been saying we need to get together for drinks - with past and present employees. It finally came to fruition last night. Earlier in the day I started feeling very anxious about the whole thing. I didn't want to go to a certain pub because I knew my ex would be there, then there was talk of a girl I don't like coming and it all started to feel very uncomfortable.

I knew I shouldn't bail on my friends, so I decided that if these things were going to happen (the ex and such) I should bring out the big guns. I put on a sweater dress that hugs my curves, and did my makeup really carefully. I did it all - eyeliner, layers of shadows, powders, lip gloss - the works! If I was going to see him, I was going to look fabulous.

We ended up agreeing on a different bar, thankfully, and I didn't see my ex and the bitchy girl didn't come. When we arrived though, people (not our group) were being super douchey about seating. There were couples sitting at big tables, and two-person tables were vacant. We were a group of nine, so we had to sit at two smaller tables with a pillar separating us. There was this ridiculous older couple sitting in the ideal spot. A corner booth, with two tables and several chairs. They had taken up the whole area with their coats. Really? There are two of you! There are nine of us! I watched that booth like a hawk and deployed my group to grab that table as soon as they got up. Success!

We had a lot of laughs, I got a bit drunk - but good drunk - happy drunk. I wasn't the sad crying girl I was afraid I'd end up. I didn't see my ex, and I even ran into a cute acquaintance who I've always had a little crush on. I gave him a hug and wished him a happy New Year and all that.

We finished off the night by going to a greasy late-night burger restaurant for poutine. For some devouring gravy and cheese coated fries is a depressing thought, but for us it was heaven. So I'm going to pretend that was my New Year's Eve. It was two nights early - but more fun than any house party I've ever been to.

Happy New Year everyone! I can't wait to see what 2013 will bring!

I'll leave you with this image of Rudolph - a group of
people from the Red Nose service dropped off cards at
the bar. They're a group who will drive you and your car
home if you've had too much to drink.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #181

This is my Happy Christmas Day Party mix! To those celebrating today, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas! xoxo

1. Little Saint Nick by The Beach Boys

2. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by She & Him

3. We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Weezer

4. Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time by Paul McCartney

5. I Feel it in my Bones by The Killers (Feat. Ryan Pardey) 

6. Frosty the Snowman by Fiona Apple

7. Snowglobe by Danny Michel

8. Snowflakes by Jeremy Fisher

9. Carol of the Belles by Straight No Chaser

10. We Need a Little Christmas by Sufjan Stevens 

Diamonds are a Lie!

Last Christmas I was in a relationship and things were good. Because I was happy and in love and all that bullshit, I let myself believe that a diamond heart pendant given to me by the person I loved actually meant something. When that relationship crashed and burned six-months later I realized that diamond are a lie you tell yourself.

This Christmas I am single and okay with that (finally) and I got some lovely things from people who are simply amazing. So here are some of the early Christmas gifts and cards I received that are better than diamonds!

Gifts from my friend Amanda. A cat tin, The book The Hockey Sweater, Maple fudge,
Big Bang Theory ornament, Tiny canvas painting and easel, vintage necklace,
flower ring, and a tiny polar bear knick-knack.

The Big Bang Theory "Soft Kitty" ornament.

Adorable tiny polar bear. I love it!

Card from Jeanette.

Card from Nugs.

Card from Kim (P.S. Same cards as my mom bought this year)

Card from Hanna!

Of course there are others I wish a very Merry Christmas to as well! You know who you are loyal readers! Happy Holidays! You guys are better than diamonds for sure!

On Violence and Fear

Shortly after the Columbine shootings I was in the library with my class doing research. For some context, our library was in the middle of the school on the first floor. There were no windows to the outside, just surrounding hallways. It was the last period of the day and we were anxious to go home. A teacher came in, the Grade 12 law teacher, and shouted for our silence and attention. He announced that there was a person outside with a high powered slingshot shooting at windows and that we weren't to leave the library until it was deemed safe.

Now it might seem silly - a person with a slingshot - but these are things that are sold for hunting purposes. Thus they had the potential to seriously injure someone, and maybe even kill. I remember being confused and anxious. Because we had no windows we couldn't see anything - we were just sitting there waiting for something to happen.

We were eventually released and nothing seemed that out of sorts. But I do remember hearing many people talking about how they thought it wasn't even true, that it was just an excuse for them to keep us in classrooms while they brought in police dogs to sniff for drugs in lockers. But I knew that wasn't it. I'd seen the drug dogs before, and we were always told the truth when they came in. Teachers wouldn't concoct an elaborate story about a guy with a slingshot. That would just be too bizarre.

The next day I found out one of the first floor classrooms had been shot into. The projectile flew through the window (it was spring, so the window may have been open), narrowly missed a student's head and shattered a blue chalk board that was made of glass.

It was a strange and confusing incident. No one was hurt and we heard nothing more about it after that. I don't even think I connected it with Columbine until much later in life. In fact, I never actually realized the significance of Columbine until I saw Michael Moore's documentary on the subject. I didn't grow up in a culture of violence - it just wasn't on my radar.

In Canada there is a gun culture, but it's not always connected with violence. There's a hunting culture here and most hand gun violence is gang related and outside of the realm of the everyday citizen for the most part. 

Today, when I read about shootings in malls, theatres and especially schools I don't understand the world. The Montreal Massacre, Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, and now Sandy Hook. I have no answers - no way of explaining why people do things like this. No motive - or at least no sensible motive. These tragedies highlight the darkest side of human nature. This should really make us take a good look at ourselves as a whole. Can we do better?

I know being barricaded in a library like I was is in no way the same as what's happened to all those innocent people, but I feel like it gave me a brief insight into how quickly things can turn bad. I just wanted to share my story. I can't help but reflect that maybe our teacher's reacted the way they did because Columbine had just happened - it was fresh in their minds. They were protecting us out of fear and duty. Someone outside was trying to control us with fear. Why? His own amusement perhaps? Had a vendetta against the school? I'll never know. I'm not even sure if there were any repercussions at all. We just all moved on I guess.

We all want to place blame on someone or something for these acts. I'm not sure where to start. I think you can start at home this holiday season by doing your best and to lead by example. Don't let this fear turn to anger.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #180

This is my 2012 BEST OF iTUNES PLAYLIST TUESDAY!

I couldn't decide this year, so I picked the 10 with the most views.

1. #132 - My Long-Distance Relationship Mix
Doorbell by The White Stripes
I wouldn't have picked this one, because of the bad memories attached - but it's part of my 2012, so I can't deny it.

2. #177 - Traffic Jams
Stompa by Serena Ryder
A recent playlist, but it must have struck a chord with many.

3. #164 - Fall Releases
Let's Fall in Love by Mother Mother
A lot of new music was released this fall. I'll post more about my picks from the whole year on January 1.

4. #163 - Must See Live
Daredevil by Fiona Apple
Artists and bands I'd love to see live.

5. #130 - The Hangover
I Should Have Known by Foo Fighters
This was my post-New Year's Eve playlist.

6. #149 - The Break Up Mix
Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt
Ah, the dreaded Break Up playlist. But we've all been through it, so it's very relatable.

7. #172 - My Life: The Soundtrack
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift
This song played a huge role in reminding me that there's no going back, only forward.

8. #174 - Election
Ohio by The Black Keys
I'm not even American and I made this playlist. Also, I'm happy you re-elected Obama.

9. #135 - Old & Dying Technology
Two Hearts by Danny Michel
Those who know me, or have read this blog a lot know that I'm very nostalgic for things of the past.

10. #145 - Things to Do
Heart of Gold by Neil Young
The playlist that I made for my blog friend Miranda.

2012 - The Year I Wish I Could Forget-ish

2012 Pop Culture Influenced Round Up 

Here is my BEST OF list:

Favourite New TV show: 

Downton Abbey - This wasn't a new show in 2012, but new to me as I discovered it and became obsessed with it this year.

Favourite Album Released in '12:

Jack White's Blunderbuss - What an achievement! Jack always said he liked working within the confines of The White Stripes - with the obvious limitations (having only two members), but he proves with this solo album that he's got so much more to offer than any of his bands ever showcased. You can hear Nashville in this music, you hear soul music, you hear Rock & Roll. It has the right amount of attitude.

Favourite Song from '12: 
Every Single Night by Fiona Apple - After going through a pretty painful breakup I found myself loving this album for it's honesty. So many memorable lines in this song. One of my favourites is: "The rib is the shell and the heart is the yolk, and I've just made a meal for us both to choke on."

Favourite Movie: 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - This is sadly the only movie I saw in 2012 that came out in 2012, but it was very good. But it has Maggie Smith and Judi Dench - so that's a winner right there.

Favourite Book: 

N/A - I am ashamed to say I didn't really read much in 2012. I will fix this for 2013!

Significant Moments of 2012: 


• I ran the Frosty 5k road race - my first cold weather race.

• I had a lovely 28th birthday celebration with tonnes of my friends.

• I ran my first ever 10k race - The Race for Chocolate.

• I broke up with my boyfriend of a year - one of the hardest things I had to deal with this year.

• I ran the Moon in June 10k race - where I came in second last. 

• I saw one of my favourite bands, Mother Mother for free at a local festival.

• I joined a running group - which was the best things I could have done for myself this year. It's changed my life for the better.

• I went to my cottage for a few days, which was a nice change of scenery.

• I ran the Terry Fox Run 10k in an hour, my personal best.

• Ran the Zoo Run at The Toronto Zoo where I got to run by giraffes, zebras, tigers, and more!

• Saw my boyfriend Jack White in concert and it was incredible! One of the best live shows ever. He's just so amazing.

• Went to a halloween party dressed up as a bottle of mustard.

• Set my personal best time for 5k at The Hanukkah Hustle.

• My brother got engaged and I was asked to be in the wedding party.


I challenge my readers to write a similar type post before January 1, 2013.

2009
2010
2011

Five People I Hate During the Holidays

When I walk to work in the morning, when it's still dark out, I pass not one, not two, but three gyms! So as I was walking by all these insane healthy people I thought about how much I want to punch them in the face this time of year. That inspired this list.

• Health Nuts - These people are unphased by the influx of holiday goodies. They maintain their healthy diets and excerise routines. I see your judgey eyes watching me reach for another shortbread!

• Scrooges - I don't want to hear you Bah Humbugging about everything festive! I'm not impressed by your "I hate Christmas" Facebook statuses. I have a Jewish friend who mailed me a Christmas card, and you can't pretend to get into the spirit? Come on!

 • Bad drivers - I get it, you've got a lot on your plate! Groceries to buy, presents to pick up, kid's recitals to race to. Just don't try to run me off the road in the process. EVERYONE IS BUSY THIS TIME OF YEAR!

 • Perfectionists - People who's houses look more like a spread from the holiday issue of Martha Stewart Living than a home that real people live in. Things are too perfect. For me Christmas is about nostalgia and feeling cozy and at home. A little chaos is okay, it's normal in fact. Just embrace it.

 • Spoiled Brats - Kids and adults alike...some people get so much at Christmas it's ridiculous. I'm probably just jealous because I get something like three gifts at Christmas.

Anyone have any I forgot or didn't think of?

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #179

Christmas can be a very warm and joyous time, but it can also be very polarizing and lonely. This week's playlist is about sad Christmas songs.

1. I'll Be Home for Christmas by She & Him

2. Don't Shoot me Santa by The Killers

3. Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon

4. Last Christmas by Wham!

5. Blue Christmas by Sheryl Crow

6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Michael Buble

7. Christmas Day by Dido

8. Where are you Christmas? by Faith Hill

9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love

10. Christmas Without You by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

I'm an Introvert and That's OK

My lovely blog friend Hanna from Excelsior Lady started this thing - this movement, if you will - in defense of the introverts of the world. She asked that anyone who felt they were misrepresented as an introvert should post this button on their blog (in the colour and design of their choice) and write a post about it.

Hanna wrote her own post HERE and it's so smart and wise and clever. You should read it.

Reading hers makes me confused though - am I an introvert? All signs point to yes - but then in other ways I wonder if I just an extrovert with massive social anxiety. Ah I feel awkward now.

But yeah, I'm more likely an introvert. I prefer solo activities to group ones. I like to quietly read, or run with headphones in. I like quiet, while loud, obnoxious people drive me crazy. Clubs make me cringe, and gatherings with people I don't know make me panic. I like being in control on my life. In a lot of ways I am shy, but not always for the reasons people think.

Just because I'm an introvert doesn't mean...

• That I'm anti-social. I'm just picky about who I spend my time with. I'd rather spend time with a few wonderful people than a bunch of okay people. If I don't want to go to your party, don't take it as me thinking I'm better than it or that I don't like fun. It's more likely that it makes me uncomfortable or I'm just broke! I realize that you're supposed to "step out of your comfort zone" once and awhile, but I'm not always feeling it.

• That I'm invisible. Sometimes I get the feeling that people know I'm not that outgoing, so they sort of forget about me. Like I'm not thought of as the "fun" one, so I don't get asked to do things. This makes me feel like I'm always the one chasing around my friends begging them to hang out. But really, all I want is a cup of tea or a pint or a glass of Pinot Gris. I prefer one-on-one hang outs. So give me a call if you want to have a relaxing night out. No pressure, just good conversation.

• That I'm a nerd. Even extroverts can be nerds! We all have things that are "nerdy" about us. Being quiet or introverted doesn't mean you're incapable of being socially "normal." I have friends, I can be fun, I can laugh - and laugh a lot. I can be funny, I have stories to tell, I have opinions!

• That I'm depressed. Now I've written on many occasions about having anxiety, and many of you had to suffer through this blog during my post-breakup "summer of sadness" posts, but my mental health isn't completely connected to being introverted. Now, the two don't exactly work well together, but introversion does not cause depression. Being anxious and depressed can just cause an already introverted person to retreat within themselves even more. This makes recovery much more difficult, but not impossible.

Anyways, thank you Hanna for making us introverts unite, individually (I love that!). We're not alone in being alone.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #178

This week's mix is inspired by writing and mailing holiday cards and letters to loved ones. I know many of you just do this once a year, but a handwritten letter with a cute stamp really does put a smile on the recipients face.

1) Amsterdam by Guster - "I'm gonna write you a letter, gonna write you a book..."

2) Dear Rosemary by Foo Fighters - I don't know a Rosemary, but I'm sure someone does. Maybe write her a letter!

3) Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight - Air mail!

4) We Used to Wait by Arcade Fire - "We used to wait for letters to arrive."

5) Signed, Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours) by Stevie Wonder - Done and done.

6) Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes - Is there a letter in your bag for me?

7) The Letter by Joe Cocker - "Ain't got time to take a fast train!"

8) Pen to the Paper by Parlovr - Put the pen to the paper and write a letter!

9) Please Send Me Someone to Love by Fiona Apple - "If it's not asking too much..."

10) Smile Like You Mean it by The Killers - Smile, you've got mail!

Also, in a couple of week's I'll be doing my BEST of 2012 Playlists - so songs from my 10 best playlists. Suggest some of your favourites that I've done this year!

Cheers!

DIY: Passion VS Popularity

So I opened my Etsy Shop, Quarter-Life Crafts on February 25, 2010. When I began I was making feather hair clips - an idea inspired by the fact that I couldn't find one I liked to wear to my cousin's wedding, so I made my own. I then added some paper art pieces and a scarf, and eventually I started making Kate Middleton inspired feather fascinators. Recently I started getting interested in charm jewellery. Thus began the story of my Yellow Umbrella charm necklaces.

I love the show How I Met Your Mother and got this idea to paint little umbrella charms yellow and sell them in my shop. I also did some in pink and orange. Up until recently I had only made a few sales over the years - as the demand for feathered hair accessories is low, and there are 100s of other shops making similar products. The feathers took time to craft - colours arranged, beads and buttons selected, silk flowers added. With the cost of time and supplies, I had to put them at a higher, but reasonable price range. But once I started making the quick and easy umbrellas, with the TV show's fame to help me, they started selling rather quickly.

Since I added them to my shop in October each one has pretty much sold within days of posting it. It's been a wonderful and successful experience for the most part. But with minor success comes some animosity. While I love the necklaces and personally find them adorable, I find myself wishing some of my other creations would get just as much attention.

When my umbrellas sell out I feel this need to make more and replenish my shop - because they're popular. While I try to include new and different items every so often, the demand is still focussed on the little yellow umbrellas.

Again, I like them - I still think they're cute and I don't regret coming up with the idea - but I do feel like I'm just making them to sell with no real creativity left. I want to make people happy and give them what they want, while also staying fresh and trying some new things.

I think this is the issue when it comes to art and business. You slowly see yourself creating for others and not for yourself. Does anyone else have this love/hate relationship with Etsy?

Um, This Feels Weird

My shellac manicure.

So a while back I was surfing Groupon and came across a deal for a Shellac manicure and a pedicure at a salon/spa in the area. I'd never been to this particular place, but the price was right so I bought one. Last weekend I called to book it and was happy that they had an opening for the following Saturday (which was today).

I didn't know what to expect, so I just went with it. I actually drove past it and had to circle back. It was a tiny shop in a plaza with a pink sign. There were only two women working in the shop. They had two stations that were very close to the entrance. There were two women working there, the owner, Michelle, and a women I was never formally introduced to - but let's call her Olga.

Olga had outrageous bright red hair - now yes, I wish I had outrageous bright red hair too - but not the way this was styled. She had it clipped up and it was sort of wild with curl (okay, so that's what I would look like with that colour too). She had tattooed on eyebrows, bright red lipstick, and wore a blue frilly smock/apron. She was pretty much silent - but the few words I heard were in a thick Eastern European accent. She was assigned to me.

So, Olga lifted the arm of the chair and I put my feet in the warm foot bath. She gathered her tools while my I soaked my runner's feet. Then the chair started to do stuff. Now, I know it's common to have massage chairs in spas and nail salons, but I've never been in one. It definitely caught me off-guard.

First it was kneading my back, which felt okay. I tried to relax and just let it do it's job. But then things got weird. Again, forgive me if this is just how massage chairs are and I'm just ignorant - but it then started squeezing my butt. Yeah, it was like my ass was in a vice grip. Is this a fat reducing technique I'm unaware of? You'd think that would be the end of the weird massage chair, but no - it got more personal.

Now, while this chair is doing its thing, there was a control panel type thing with a graphic of a person and it lit up in the areas where the chair was targeting. So when the chair got me right in the bum from the bottom, I was alarmed. I thought at first I was perhaps sitting in the chair wrong and that it was supposed to be getting my lower back - but no, the graphic clearly showed a massager right on target. So it basically massages up your butt.

I just Googled this because I was worried I went to a freaky nail salon, but it seems this is a common feature of spa massage chairs!

I'm sorry, but the feeling of something not unlike an elbow kneading me in my exit alone place is not relaxing!

So, since Olga was ready to go - I felt it necessary to just shut the damn chair off. I was hoping there was a spot where I could just set it to massage my back and forget the squeeze and probe, but it was just easier to turn it off.

She ended up doing a decent enough job on my feet, so it wasn't that bad of an experience. I also got my very first Shellac manicure, which was different. My job is a manicure killer, so I'll be interested to see how this lasts. But I wasn't that impressed by the colour choices. As many of you know, I'm into the whole trend of nail art and such, so it's hard for me to commit to a single colour for long. Before she finished my nails, Olga and I had an awkward moment where she asked me to wash my hands and then came over and pointed at the soap. I said, "I used the soap!" Like don't tell me how to wash my hands, I'm not a child. Jeez Olga, you're not my mom!

Also, instead of just TV or the radio, the owner played movies. I saw the end of some lame Katherine Heigl movie and caught the first hour of The Devil Wears Prada and I'd never seen it before. Now I'm curious, so I have to find it so I can watch the rest of it!

Honestly, the services I got were good for what I paid, so I'm not actually upset. I just found a few things here and there a bit comical and awkward. Have any of you ever had an awkward salon/spa experience? Done battle with a handsy massage chair? Is the end of the movie worth watching?