I haven't forgotten about you...

Hi!

I find myself so distracted/busy/interested in other things...you know, normal life stuff.

Heres what's up with me:

1) Moving in March, so I've been crazy busy trying to make it all happen. Moving is stressful

2) Life moves pretty fast, just like Ferris Bueller always said. I work Monday to Friday, run twice a week, and go to the gym every Wednesday. I don't have much free time.

3) Weekends are precious, and I've been busy doing stuff...or watching Friends on Netflix...one of those.

4) I have been blogging, just not here. I created a specific blog to talk about my experiences in Hamilton, where I work: http://numbertwobus.blogspot.ca/  feel free to check it out.

5) I'm trying to be less self-involved and whiney...so that eliminates like 90% of my topics.

Miss you guys!

30 Days of April TOPIC LIST

This is the list of topics for my 30 Days of April Challenge. I'd like to thank all of you who submitted suggestions. I tried to use topics from everyone, but since I got more than 30 I had to leave some off the final list. I was impressed with how creative you guys were! So to reiterate this, I'll be blogging every day in April.

If you can't read the topics here is a typed version of the list:

1. 1984
2. Things How I Met Your Mother (TV show) Taught Me
3. My Spirit Animal
4. Tea Shops
5. Favourite Song (of All-time)
6. Schadenfreude (taking joy in the misfortunes of others)
7. Canadian Stereotypes
8. Books
9.  Celebrity Girl-Crush
10. First Album I Bought
11. Things I Won't Miss About My 20s
12. A Birthday Story
13. Me @ 60
14. Review
15.  Favourite 60s Band
16. My Biggest Flaw
17. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Quote)
18. Gross Food
19. Starts with K
20. Favourite Toy as a Kid
21. Where would I live if I Could Go Anywhere
22. My Memorial Tattoo
23. Travel
24. Favourite Female Superhero
25. Yellow
26. Politics
27. Running
28. Five Things I'm Thankful For
29. Jewellery/Fashion
30. Living an Authentic Life

March Shmarch

So aside from my terrifying world news update, I haven't been very active on this blog this month. I have some very good reasons for this:

A) I'm blogging everyday in April for my blog's 5th birthday and my 30th. See details HERE. So, I really need to bank some good stories for the 30 days of April challenge. Last chance to submit topic ideas.

B) Life is a bore. There have been little blips of good stories, but nothing I can use to flesh out a full and complete post. Such as the hospital gown I found discarded on a bus bench with an ID bracelet on top. All I can do is speculate - no real story there.

C) Possible exciting things happening but I won't share until I know for sure.

So how fucking horrible has March been? It's the first day of Spring today and the colour of the sky is the most depressing shade of light grey I've ever seen. Everything is muddy and damp. There are no flowers. There is no green grass. It's just miserable.

Anyone reading anything good right now? What's your favourite TV show or movie coming out. The new Muppet Movie might be okay. I also want to see The Grand Budapest Hotel, but it's only showing in limited theatres. Boo to that. In April two of my favourite shows are back - Mad Men and Californication. Both in their final seasons (though Mad Men is splitting it's final season in two over two years, so does that even count as a final season?) Maybe I need to take a break from pop culture and do something more meaningful, but no, I'm addicted to TV.

Back to my boring life. See ya!

Looking Ahead to 30 Days of April

Animal print because I'm getting closer to achieving cougar status.

It's Miserable March! It's still freezing cold out, I'm still unemployed (or self-employed doing odd jobs for people) and I'm just not feeling very positive. Down with March! I've got the blues so bad that not even a St. Paddy's day green beer can solve it!

But April will be here before you know it, so I'm planning something big. In April I will be celebrating two major milestones: 1) I turn 30 and 2) This blog turns 5. And guess what? There are 30 days in April...turning 30 in a month with 30 days. it just seems nice and balanced, doesn't it? In addition to those two things, I also have a few races and a few parties for my brother's wedding to help with (bridesmaid's duties). April is shaping up to be a crazy month!

So here is my idea - I'm going to blog everyday in April. These blogs might not be all Pulitzer Prize contenders, but I will do it. But instead of me making up my own list of topics, I'd like suggestions. Because I don't have 30 solid readers of this blog, you can each suggest a bunch. If I get more than 30 I'll choose my favourites. Of course you guys can also participate if you wish. I'll publish the list before the 1st of April.

Try to be creative and think outside the box. I don't want "what's your favourite colour" or "pet peeve" or "favourite food." The topics can be vague or specific - just as long as they're interesting. They don't have to be birthday or age related, but they can be...it's really up to you.

EMAIL THEM HERE.

You have just under a month to send me your suggestions!

New Chapter = New Title

Same old bullshit, only with a brand new title. Meet "Textual Healing." I was getting sick of the whole "Quarter-life Crisis" excuse for things and decided that life if just hard - and the crisis may never truly end. That is why I think "Textual Healing" is a much better title. It really embodies the whole cathartic aspect of writing and blogging.

And guess what - I don't care who reads it - it's for me to express myself and voice my thoughts on things in a safe environment.

Gobble

I feel like the days of the personal blog are on their way out. The only blogs left seem to be by people who want to be internet famous. I keep on blogging, who knows why...I'm certainly not out to be internet famous. But I will write anyways, even if I have no audience.

Guess this post is sort of a life update for those of you out there who might read and care.

It's almost Canadian Thanksgiving - which is almost like American Thanksgiving only it's in October and no one watches Football. Mainly we just eat and it has nothing to do with pilgrims. This year my family is heading north to the cottage - my parents, my brother and his fiance, and the dogs and me. My contribution to the meal will be a pumpkin trifle. I baked the cakes for it tonight and I'll wrap them up and take them with me - I'll assemble the rest of the dessert up there. I'm using a recipe I found on Pinterest, but I couldn't find all the ingredients so I'm sort of fudging it together. Hopefully it will still turn out.

I checked the weather up north and we are in for a beautiful couple of days. Too cold to swim, obviously, but warm enough to sit outside and read. The sky will be blue and the lake will sparkle. I can't wait. I'm looking forward to going on some nice walks and just enjoying the peace and quiet. I hope to take lots of pictures to share with you all when I return.

Oh, and the day after I get back I'm getting a new tattoo. I can't believe it's been almost 5 years since my last one, but really - it took me that long to think of something I really wanted. I'm going to a different shop than I did last time because my experience was sort of sketchy before: READ HERE FOR THAT STORY.

I'll finish off this blog with some photos from my Instagram:

The amazing Franco Sarto shoes I got 70% for my brother's wedding.

The Spa in a Jar I made my friend who loves pink! Had three nail polishes,
hair elastics, a face mask and a tiny pink rubber ducky.

I love the changing colours.

Full colour!

Loving my Troopa boots for fall.

View from the parking lot of my physiotherapy clinic.

Today's beauty.

Hope everyone's enjoying the autumn weather! Happy Thanksgiving to Canadians!

So Many of my Favourite People Live in Cyber Space

Since in real life I'm struggling with the whole finding and keeping friends thing, I'm starting to really wish you internet friends were my friends for real. I never wanted to be one of those internet nerds who make friends in chat rooms and forums, but this blog has opened doors I never thought possible.

So this post is for you guys.

I wish I could watch hockey with Nugs and grab a pint and make fun of Chara and Kane with her in Connecticut.

I wish I could eat Voo Doo Donuts and go see one of Lauren's crazy rock shows in Portland.

I want to wander LA with Hanna and her camera and see things I'd never seen before.

I want to go to Alabama (never thought I'd say that) and road trip with Matt to go see a concert somewhere.

I want to go to the Great White Nowhere and visit Martina and go for hikes to nearly abandoned beaches in north western Ontario.

I want to sit on patios with all of you and drink cold beverages and talk about whatever.

I'm sure there are many of you I've forgotten - but know that you're probably included too.

The Number 4

This post is part of my request-a-post thing for my blog's 4th anniversary this Saturday. I'm taking requests HERE for post ideas up until and including April 13th, 2013.

This request comes from Matt: The Number 4

Matt wanted this post to be a huge post about the number four, like the movie The Number 23. The trouble is I've never seen this movie. I looked up a description and it sounds super creepy. I hope this post isn't creepy - or I'll try to keep it from being creepy.

The significance of the number 4 is interesting - I did some research. Enjoy!

• In Buddhism there are Four Nobel Truths: Dukkha (The Nobel Truth of Suffering), Samudaya (The Nobel Truth of the Cause of Suffering), Nirodha (The Nobel Truth of Cessation of Suffering) and Magga (The Nobel Truth of The Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering)

• The are the four elements - Earth, Wind, Fire and Water (the first three make up a band from the 70s)

• In FOUR far east countries (China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea) the number 4 is unlucky because it is a homonym for the word "death."

• Most furniture has four legs (tables, chairs etc.)

• Stupid teenagers use the number 4 to replace the word "for" because they are too lazy to type more letters.

• Abraham Lincoln began his famous Gettysbeug Address with "Four score and seven years ago..."

• There are four bases in baseball.

• The Montreal Canadiens' retired the number 4 - the number worn by Jean Beliveau. (That's NHL hockey, for those of you from down south).

• The term "four letter word" usually refers to swear words - fuck, shit...that sort of thing.

• Cancer is the 4th sign of the Zodiac

• Led Zeppelin IV was the fourth album released by the band. It included many of their most famous hits. Notably "Stairway to Heaven" and "Black Dog."

• There are four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall (or Autumn)

• Four directions: North, South, East & West

• There were four horseman of the apocalypse.

• Four suits in a deck of cards: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds & Spades.

• The Beatles were dubbed "The Fab Four": John, Paul, George & Ringo.

I got most of these from Wikipedia - so forgive my lack of originality.

Another Post About Running

Yesterday I participated in an 8k race in Toronto's scenic High Park. It was a cold, but sunny day - perfect for running, not so much for standing and waiting. I won't bore you with my usual commentary, but it was a fun race and a good 8k for me.

If you'd like me to write about something OTHER than running, consider submitting a suggestion on THIS post. I'm taking blog topic suggestions over there until April 13th (in honour of this blog's 4th birthday).

Here are some pictures I took on my phone from yesterday's Race:

It's also my birthday on Friday - man...I'm getting so old.

The Sweet & The Sticky

This blog post is part of my 4th Blogiversary Celebrations where I blog what you suggest. See this post for details. This post was inspired by Hanna's suggestion: BEES

Bees may go extinct. It's true, Google it. And even if my dad says he'd be okay with it, since he's afraid of them, it's a big deal for the world.

The bees dying would be catastrophic to the global food supply. Bees pollenate most plants, thus helping them grow and populate. I don't want to be all doom and gloom either - I'm just trying to make a case for our poor misunderstood friends.

My dad says he can live without honey, but I could not. It's good in tea, it's good on toast with peanut butter, and it's good by the spoonful when my throat is sore. It's natures medicine. Bees do that. It's so amazing.

In my parent's backyard there are three rose of sharon trees. In August, when they are in full bloom, bees of all shapes and sizes surround them. They're drunk on pollen - rolling in it practically before they lazily stumble home after imbibing the sweet nectar. They're so focussed on the task that I can get really close to them without fear of getting stung. They're busy and happy. While flies seem to spread germs, bees spread love. You've got to give the bees a break.

Wasps are another story entirely. I've been stung twice by wasps. Wasps are aggressive little jerks. The first time I was stung was six or seven years ago. I was laying in the hammock in my parents backyard, but that summer yellow jacket wasps had decided to take over our lawn. They were everywhere, crawling in the grass and hovering above. I had kicked off my flip flops to the side of the hammock and settled in with a book. When I got up I put my feet down, thinking I was placing them on my shoes, I stepped on an angry wasp. It stung my big toe and it hurt more than I ever expected. My toe blew up and it hurt to walk on it.

The second wasp attack happened not that long ago. A wasp had got inside my work and was attracted to the bottles of sticky sweet syrup that we use for summer drinks at the cafe. I took a rolled up newspaper and swatted at it. I thought I got it but no such luck. While I was steaming milk for a cappuccino I felt something on my shoulder. It suddenly felt like I was being pinched by a hot fire poker. It stung me twice. Unlike the bee, the wasp can sting you multiple times as it does not lose it's stinger in you. I spent the rest of my shift with a bag of ice on my red, swollen shoulder. Jerk. It inspired me to write this poem.

So over the years I've had a love hate relationship with bees and bee-like creatures. In the end, I'd be very sad if they went extinct. Also, one of my favourite books, Generation A by Douglas Coupland, is about a not-so-distant future without bees. It's a must read.

Okay Hanna - I hope you like your post about bees.

Almost Four

On April 13th this blog will be four years old - which means it can walk and talk and is potty trained (finally). Last year I did a giveaway, but I thought I'd try something more blog related this year. I want my readers to tell me what to write about. In the comment section below I want you to give me a topic - it can be specific or abstract - it's your choice. However, the content itself will be up to me, using the topic as a jumping off point.

This could be a fun writing experiment for me. I like having projects - an assigned task. I am most creative when I have restrictions because I have to find interesting ways to present something rather than just having the world be my oyster.

It's a win-win - you (might) get something entertaining to read and I'll have something creative to work on. Yay!

I'll take suggestions leading up to and including April 13th, 2013. Any topics posted after that date will likely not happen. My blog, my rules. I'll decide how and when to post them depending on how many I get.

Okay friends - challenge me! Give me your topics! Be vague, be funny, be simple, be convoluted - whatever you please!

Who the Hell Are You?

So my little online portfolio project, the one I mentioned in my new year's resolutions blog, is coming along swimmingly (what a strange expression. Swimmingly? I just wanted to try it out). I'm very happy with everything so far. I had my share of technical glitches - mainly dealing with file hosting and my URL - but aside from that it's been great. I have a friend who's a student doing my design work for free  - she will have a real project for her portfolio, and I'll have a nice banner, logo and badges to represent my "brand." But to those of you with the ability to pay for a designer, please see Hanna Scott.

I've got my resume posted, my portfolio is mostly done, and my list of clients will be easy enough to complete (news flash, it's a short list - hence the new fancy website). The struggle I'm having now is my "About Me" blurb.

Am I colour?

Or Black and White?

Now I know that my "About Me" here is sarcastic, vague and not at all professional - but that was all done on purpose because I blog here semi-anonymously. Basically if you want to get to know me on this blog you really have to become a loyal reader and I'll connect with you outside of this forum. But for this new venture I am trying to market myself as a professional writer/editor - so I have to write a bit more about myself.

I understand that I need to include my education, my hometown, my work experience and credentials. But what extra little tidbits to you add? What do you leave out? I work at a coffee shop. I don't want to hide that fact (it's on my resume), but I also don't want to paint myself out to be a complete failure. I suppose I can mention some hobbies - running, crafting, reading etc. I want to come across as professional, but also creative and fun. I don't want to seem like I'm all business when I'm not.

So do any of you lovely people have any suggestions for a kick-ass "About Me" page? Help me! I'm a writer who can't write a simple blurb about myself!

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.

I'm About to Have a Big Ol' Anxiety Attack All Over This Blog

2012 is not going down as my greatest year.

This year, thus far, has seen me on a downward spiral through heartbreak, loss, confusion, disloyalty, resentment, loneliness, isolation, defeatism, jealousy, detachment, anger, sorrow, melancholy, bitterness, and pettiness.

I feel like I have nothing new to say on this blog right now. I'm not going to shut it down or anything, but I do feel like it might just end up part of my sad little rain-cloud of a life if I keep writing about this shit.

I wish I had funny anecdotes, and silly tales about guys riding Penny Farthing bicycles around town and my crazy customers at my lame coffee shop job - but I just want to whine and vent and cry and throw a tantrum through words like a 16 year old writing poetry about how much she hates her parents.

But that doesn't seem fair to you guys - that I should rope you into my sadness bubble. I'm not really sure how to fix this. I have all the "tools" in my arsenal - physical activity, positive socialization, and relaxation - yet I feel like my gun is jammed and it's liable to backfire.

So be patient with me dear readers (all 5 of you) and don't give up - I'll have funny stories soon, I hope.

North VS South, East VS West, Nugs VS Allison: Stanley Cup Final

Score

Nugs - 9

Al - 7

Recap

Nugs and I both picked LA, so easily each picked up a point there. However, I picked New Jersey over New York and well...

Ding Dong the Rangers are Gone. 

Picks

* Mine are in RED.

NJD vs LAK

I will admit that I first bet against the Rangers because A) They played the Senators in the first round and B) Nugs was diehard for them, so I had to be THAT guy and bet against her just for shits and giggles. But as the rounds went on I noticed that the Rangers were the only "winners" that barely squeaked by each round - and ultimately lost. They didn't dominate at all and I'd argue the Sens or the Caps could have easily beat them had things gone just slightly different. There were no blow outs. I'll allow Nugs to lick her wounds and such, but the fact is the Stanley Cup final will be The New Jersey Devils VS The Los Angeles Kings - two teams I'm sure very few people counted on being in this position.


Who will I choose? Do I even care? Well, I have to pick a team - regardless of my previous loyalties.


I'm going to go with LA.


Why? Well, two reasons. I'm enjoying their cinderella story. They're a team with fighting spirt who have knocked out many of the best teams in the West. Vancouver, St. Louis, and Phoenix - all with ease. My second reason is a more patriotic one, the Kings are full of Canadians. Way more Canadians than New Jersey. And let's face it, The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, once called himself a King and we all still love him.


I know I have little no chance of winning this bet overall, but I might as well risk it and pick what most would call an underdog team, but I don't really think you can think of them that way now. Their 8th place status really has no effect on what's happened this play-off season.

I've already lost, since I can't gain enough points to win :(

To be on my blog for a month if I lose (which I have).

Nugs:

I don't think that anyone is going to have a heart attack when I go with LA on this one. Why?

For one, Los Angeles is technically my hometown now, and even though I'm definitely going to have to deal with obnoxious bandwagonners who weren't even aware that a Los Angeles hockey team even existed, (see: Clippers fans) it IS pretty awesome that the Kings are contenders for the coolest trophy in the history of sports (GQ agrees with me).

Second: LA seems to be the team that surprised everybody this postseason. One of my friends, born in Vancouver, is an ardent Canucks fan, and during the Finals he sent me a text about how his guys had left him humiliated. I wouldn't be so embarrassed; I could have sworn that the Kings had just destroyed the Canucks AND The Blues and were well on their way towards the Cup. It turns out I was right. No one predicted the Canucks' loss; they put in a valiant effort. He just better not root for New Jersey or we'll have a real beef (see below).

LA made pretty quick waste of Vancouver, St. Louis and Phoenix, losing two games in the entire postseason and becoming the first eighth seed team in NHL history to eliminate both the Number One and Number Two seeds and move on to the final round. However, these will be the games that prove just how formidable the Kings really are. They have yet to face an Eastern Conference team and play hockey their way, and the Devils more than match up against their skill and drive. This particular LA team has never won a Cup, and the last time the Kings even made it to the playoffs was in 1993. The Devils have some solid veterans on the ice, backed arguably by the greatest goalie of all time, Martin Brodeur. Jonathan Quick is incredible, but he doesn't have 21 years of experience in the net. 

Considering they had one of their worst seasons in recent memory last year, New Jersey probably REALLY wants a win. It's going to be pretty tough for the Kings to skate by (see what I did there?) with just one loss. They have shown to be fairly aggressive on the ice, however, much like a lot of Eastern Conference teams, and although you can argue that while the Devils have some years on LA, have you really taken a good look at those dudes? The Kings are fucking massive. 

At this point it's anyone's prize. While I (and apparently most sports analysts) do believe that the Kings are going to win their first Stanley Cup this year, it won't be easy. I'm guessing at least 6 games.

Third- FUCK THAT SHIT. No way in Hell am I predicting a Stanley Cup for the Devils, especially when they just knocked out my boys. LA needs to take this. My dignity depends on it.

We both picked LA - so the points won't really change. I won't be putting up the Boston logo until it's officially over though...damn.

North VS South, East VS West, Nugs VS Allison: Round 3

Score

Nugs - 8

Al - 5

Recap

Well, the only series that really mattered in Round 2 for us was the NYR - WAS series, as it was the only opportunity for me to gain a point. And like the Ottawa series that proceeded it, it wasn't a blow-out and it went to game 7! Game 7 was kinda boring, NYR got an early lead and pretty much just road it till the end. Washington tried to come up with some stuff in the 3rd, but it was too little, too late. So I lost that one.

The other interesting series was SLB vs LAK! Both Nugs and I thought they just got lucky against Vancouver, but no. They're hot and look like they're fighting their way to the Stanley Cup!

Round 3

*My predictions are in Red.

** Nugs's predictions are longer, funnier and have photos and graphics.

EAST 

NYR vs NJD 

To keep the rivalry going ill go New Jersey. Go Marty! 

It's safe to say that I'm pretty stoked that the Flyers have been knocked out of the Playoffs- I think by now we're all familiar with my intense Philly death wish, so I won't get into it again.

OK, maybe one more:

Anyway.

Although I'm psyched that the Stupid Flyers are no longer eligible for the Cup (HAHAHAHAHAHA!), considering it won me another point AND humiliated both the team and the bandwagon fans in the city of Philadelphia, I'm now faced with the foreboding knowledge that we now have to play the Devils in the Conference Finals. Not only are we bitter rivals in the Atlantic Division, going back decades, but New Jersey is the one team in the East that I can honestly see sending the Rangers home. Regardless of the fact that the Devils are the sixth seed in the East, I have to admit that they are an absolute match for us and make me very, very nervous. 

While we're fortunate enough to boast Lundqvist in the net, whose goaltending skills this postseason have been monumental, no one can argue with Brodeur, who has spent his entire 21-year career with the Devils and is arguably the greatest goalie in the history of the NHL. Forward Brad Richards has been a powerhouse and multiple other players, including defenseman Michael Del Zotto, have given the Devils reason to step up their game. New Jersey, however, has had fifteen different goal scorers in this postseason so far. Captain Zach Parise, who reaches free agent status in June, is more than likely looking to end this season with a win. 

The animosity between the Rangers and Devils has been brewing not only in the NHL, but between my brother and I, and also between myself and Coyote Tits, for years. While I'm leaning toward the side of my beloved Rangers, evidently the two of them are clearly focused across the river in New Jersey. Lest you are wondering whose side to take in this very important matter, I have provided you all with a stirring and compelling argument detailing exactly which choice is clearly correct:

Exhibit 1: A picture of our goalie:

A picture of their goalie:

Exhibit B: Come on. It's NEW JERSEY. The only thing to look forward to about New Jersey is leaving it.

Exhibit Unicorn: I have twelve dollars and thirty-four cents in my wallet right now that can easily be divided up. (READ: I am not above bribery). 

Exhibit DD: We have a player named Hagelin, which sounds like something my Yiddish grandmother would have called me when she tried to force-feed me homemade soup, and that makes you go "awwww," and remember stuff. All the Devils have stupid names. EXAMPLE: Travis Zajac can easily be mistaken for this dude:

This will be a rough couple of weeks, so please choose your alliances wisely. And by wisely, I mean choose me. Because I am adorable.

WEST 

PHX vs LAK 

 I can't deny it any longer, LA is so hot right now.

This was an EXTREMELY tough series for me to call. My first instinct was to go with Phoenix- they're such a great team, with amazing chemistry, an outstanding coach and an incredible goalie in Mike Smith. Their Semifinals series with Nashville was like seeing a mirror image, with each team going strong against each other, and although I'm not a huge fan per se of either team, it was still exciting to watch. Phoenix's story should be considered even more of an event due to the fact that they were going to be sold by the NHL, and now they're one of the best teams in the West. 

Unfortunately, I think Phoenix's run is about to end due to their match-up with LA. Personally, I'm shocked that the Kings made it this far- they spent the regular season just barely squeaking into the playoffs, knocked out first seed and President's Trophy winner Vancouver in five games and then swept number two seed St. Louis. LA, BTW, are the first eighth seed team to ever pull this off. If you told me at the start of the post-season that the Kings would be in the third round of the game I would have laughed at you, but there you have it. This is going to be a showdown between the two goalies- Quick and Smith- and based on their unbelievable 2012 postseason run, I have to give it to LA.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #145

Last week I hosted by first giveaway where I gave away three homemade prizes. I felt bad that not everyone would get to win, so I offered some consolation prizes. 4th prize was a playlist dedicated you!

So Things to Do (Miranda) won and I'm so excited to make this playlist for her! Enjoy! And if anyone is interested in 101 before 1001 type blogs hers is amazing!

Onward to the list!

1. Daughter by Pearl Jam - I know she loves this band, and was excited about their 20th anniversary that just happened. Daughter is one of my favourite "classic" Pearl Jam songs.

2. Heart of Gold by Neil Young - I know she saw Neil Young play at a benefit concert not long ago.

3. All These Things That I've Done by The Killers - She's done a lot of things, mostly awesome things.

4. I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself by The White Stripes (cover) - Hahaha, I don't think this is a problem for her!

5. Valerie by Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse - I believe she mentioned this song to me before regarding the line about "ginger hair."

6. Just Dance by Lady GaGa - Girl's gotta dance!

7. Do it or Die by Die Mannequin - 101 things!

8. Photograph by Weezer - She takes a lot of really cool photos using old/film cameras. Very cool!

9. Travelling Woman by Bats for Lashes - She's always travelling to interesting places, like Costa Rica.

10. America by Simon and Garfunkle - She's American!

Okay Miranda! I hope you like this playlist! Thank you for entering my giveaway!

You're All Winners in My Mind! AND My Blog is Three!

Today's the day that you've been waiting for...well six of you. The day I announce the winners of my 3 year blogiversary, which is today - FRIDAY THE 13TH!

Reminder, I've added a 4th prize of a playlist in your honour, and an exclusive coupon code for my Etsy shop for the "non-winners" (I prefer positive terms here).

Drum...

roll...

please...

1st Prize: Hanna

2nd Prize: Kris

3rd Prize: Lauren

In the interest of transparency I'm going to show you how I "drew" your "names":

The numbers follow the order in which you entered.

Winners please EMAIL me with your mailing addresses so I can quickly mail these off!

Things to Do! You won a playlist in your honour! So I'll start going through my music to find the perfect 10 songs for you!

Amanda & Jay: If you wish to claim your exclusive coupon code for my shop, please email me! 

Also, I'm a winner too - I loved all your feedback! So next week I'm going to try to give you all a little bit of what you "love" about this blog. Fashion, love, work stories, music, rants, Etsy/crafting updates. So be prepared to be overloaded with posts next week!

Since I started this blog 3 years ago today, let's see how I "celebrated" each year, and how it all began.

VERY FIRST POST

1ST BLOGIVERSARY!

2ND BLOGIVERSARY!

Give it Away, Give it Away, Give it Away Now!

A week today is my blog's third birthday - my blogiversary if you will. And to mark this glorious occasion I am doing my very first giveaway. And because my blog is turning 3 it's only right that I give away three things!

I handmade each of these (with love) specifically for this giveaway. If you've seen my Etsy shop, you'd know these are the types of things I sell there.

1st prize: A black and turquoise mini feather fascinator clip. 

2nd prize: A purple paper-wrapped bangle (colour may vary depending on your screen, on mine it looks darker than it is in real life).

3rd prize: Cute yellow/white/amber bobby pin trio.

How do you win? Well, you should probably be familiar with this blog, so I want you to comment below telling me what you like most about this blog and what you'd like to see more of. I'll draw the names and announce the three winners on Friday, April 13th (are you feeling lucky?). Contest closes at 11:59 P.M. EST on April 12.

And I may offer some sort of "prize" for those who enter but don't win, I'll think of something.

When It Looks Like Spring, Feels Like Spring...

It's not quite Spring yet, not officially - but it's 14 degrees Celsius out today (for you Americans that's warm...I don't know your measurement system, so you're going to have to just trust me on this). It's windy, but it feels so nice.

I went for a leisurely jog this morning. My legs were still a bit sore from Sunday's race, so I thought I'd just take it easy. It was nice. I saw some crocuses in a garden as a passed by. Crocuses are usually the first flower to bloom - and here they sometimes get snowed on, giving us a false sign of Spring. In this case I hope it's true. While we didn't have a bad winter by any means this year, I am still looking forward to longer days of light and warm air. I can't wait for patio season to officially begin!



I have a lot to look forward to:

• St. Patrick's Day is on a Saturday this year and I hope I can beat the line-ups and get into a decent pub for a green beer!

• My boyfriend should be home in two weeks which is very exciting. We've both hit the point where the separation has gotten to be a little too much.

• Related to the point above, the BF and I are 90% sure we're going to go to Niagara Falls for a weekend together when he gets home. We'll stay at a nice hotel, have a nice dinner, see some tacky sights, go to the casino - that sort of stuff.

• Easter is early this year - and I always enjoy a good meal and time with my family. It's especially important for me to see my grandma as often as possible right now. She moved into a nursing home in November, and is doing really well, but obviously I'd like to see her outside of that place.

• The weekend following Easter is my 28th birthday - holy hell! I think instead of planning anything and making a Facebook event (for people to ignore or click "decline" to) I'm just going to tell all my friends that I'll be at the ______ pub around ___ o'clock and they can choose whether or not they want to drop in to say Happy Birthday or not. I have many friends from many different areas of my life and it's hard to please everyone. So I don't give a shit this year. If you don't like the pub I choose, don't come. If you think it's too boring, don't come. If you can't stay late, just drop in for a drink. It's my party and I'll do what I want to. And what I want to do is play pool, darts, have some pints and some laughs and go home feeling good.

• My 3rd Blogiversary is the day after my birthday - Friday the 13th! So if anyone has any superstitious ideas on how to commemorate that please comment with your suggestions!

• On the 22nd of April is my grandma's 86th birthday.

• And lastly, on April 29th I'm pretty sure I'm signing up to run a 10k race called "The Race for Chocolate." It's a race where you get chocolate after! I'd run 10k for Chocolate!

Has the upcoming Spring season got you excited for anything? It feels good to stop hibernating and to plan things again!