Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Bad Attitude
I think I have a bad attitude. You know how people say someone "needs an attitude adjustment"? Where can I get one? I find that instead of approaching life positively, I make every situation into something selfish and negative. And really, if I'm not my own cheerleader, who will cheer for me? Maybe I need a spirit stick.
I think I have a bad attitude. You know how people say someone "needs an attitude adjustment"? Where can I get one? I find that instead of approaching life positively, I make every situation into something selfish and negative. And really, if I'm not my own cheerleader, who will cheer for me? Maybe I need a spirit stick.
Monday, April 26, 2004
Gack
Sometimes even 5 days is too many to continue living with someone!
When did I become the secretary? Sample dialogue:
RMates: "Please tell anyone who calls that we aren't here"
Phone: "ring ring ring"
Emily: "Hello? Sorry, she's not here right now..." etc.
RMates: "Who was that?"
Emily: "Amber"
RMate: "Oh, I want to talk to her!" proceeds to call her back.
Phone: "ring ring ring"
Emily: "Hello, blahby blah...not here yaddyyah, oh, she wanted you to call and you're her mom, hold on."
RMate: "Hi Mom...."
Phone: "ring ring ring"
Emily: "Hello, not here, sorry take message." 'Hey r-mate, Carlos wants you to call him in the morning.'
RMate: "What! I need to talk to him. I just didn't want to talk to Friend 1 or Friend 2." Big exasperated sigh.
Emily: *Fumes Internally*
*Update: 12:30am, phone rings, it is Friend 1 who asks me to wake RMate up, this is difficult, so I just take a message. 8:30am, I tell RMate Friend 1 called. Her response? "Well, why didn't you wake me up?"*
Sometimes even 5 days is too many to continue living with someone!
When did I become the secretary? Sample dialogue:
RMates: "Please tell anyone who calls that we aren't here"
Phone: "ring ring ring"
Emily: "Hello? Sorry, she's not here right now..." etc.
RMates: "Who was that?"
Emily: "Amber"
RMate: "Oh, I want to talk to her!" proceeds to call her back.
Phone: "ring ring ring"
Emily: "Hello, blahby blah...not here yaddyyah, oh, she wanted you to call and you're her mom, hold on."
RMate: "Hi Mom...."
Phone: "ring ring ring"
Emily: "Hello, not here, sorry take message." 'Hey r-mate, Carlos wants you to call him in the morning.'
RMate: "What! I need to talk to him. I just didn't want to talk to Friend 1 or Friend 2." Big exasperated sigh.
Emily: *Fumes Internally*
*Update: 12:30am, phone rings, it is Friend 1 who asks me to wake RMate up, this is difficult, so I just take a message. 8:30am, I tell RMate Friend 1 called. Her response? "Well, why didn't you wake me up?"*
Techno-weinies of the world unite!
Argh. I am by no means a computer expert, and anyone who knows both me and computers will attest to this. Unfortunately, people at my work (webmaster included) know nothing about computers at all. So today the internet was down and I've spent a good couple of hours trying to fix that problem. One of the women I work with (who is just learning how to use email) has been complaining to me all afternoon that it had better get fixed because she "needs the computer to do her work" (!!)
And I enjoy checking pings and traces and unplugging the red cord and resetting crap and calling our tech support volunteer 5 times today at work...oh wait.
Lesson of the day: Don't whine if you don't know what you're talking about.
Argh. I am by no means a computer expert, and anyone who knows both me and computers will attest to this. Unfortunately, people at my work (webmaster included) know nothing about computers at all. So today the internet was down and I've spent a good couple of hours trying to fix that problem. One of the women I work with (who is just learning how to use email) has been complaining to me all afternoon that it had better get fixed because she "needs the computer to do her work" (!!)
And I enjoy checking pings and traces and unplugging the red cord and resetting crap and calling our tech support volunteer 5 times today at work...oh wait.
Lesson of the day: Don't whine if you don't know what you're talking about.
Friday, April 23, 2004
I Love the Java Jive
The time had come. I had thought about it and I was finally ready. The first time I did it was with a good friend and I felt more comfortable that way. Yes, I drank black coffee last week. I do not wish to become a coffee addict, but a coffee aficianado and that can't happen if I don't drink it (black). Now I will be able to say, "mmm, that's good coffee!" and really know.
The time had come. I had thought about it and I was finally ready. The first time I did it was with a good friend and I felt more comfortable that way. Yes, I drank black coffee last week. I do not wish to become a coffee addict, but a coffee aficianado and that can't happen if I don't drink it (black). Now I will be able to say, "mmm, that's good coffee!" and really know.
Sharing
Yes, a concept we all learned to love in kindergarten! But do we ever really embrace sharing? I'm not talking all-out communism here, just the little stuff. I find that I begrudge sharing my space with people. I secretly hope they won't come sit near me on the metro. Maybe it's just because I share a tiny office with as many as three other people at a given time...
I don't like sharing food either. It's something I am trying to work on. If someone else eats some of my jam or steals a bite of food from my plate, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Sharing is something I am trying to work on. Generosity is rarely a bad thing. But touch my toothbrush and you're a deadman.
Yes, a concept we all learned to love in kindergarten! But do we ever really embrace sharing? I'm not talking all-out communism here, just the little stuff. I find that I begrudge sharing my space with people. I secretly hope they won't come sit near me on the metro. Maybe it's just because I share a tiny office with as many as three other people at a given time...
I don't like sharing food either. It's something I am trying to work on. If someone else eats some of my jam or steals a bite of food from my plate, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Sharing is something I am trying to work on. Generosity is rarely a bad thing. But touch my toothbrush and you're a deadman.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Big Question
Today's Big Question- Is it better to do things that make me happy in the present or to do things now that prepare me to be happy in the future?
Today's Big Question- Is it better to do things that make me happy in the present or to do things now that prepare me to be happy in the future?
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
The Gift
People never seem to know what to give me as a gift when I finish a job. Last job- camping store gift certificate...you know, for all the camping I do. This job- National Geographic subscription...because that's what I read, every day!
Ah well, I guess gifts really aren't for the people who get them, but for the people who give them. Otherwise, why would they be a surprise?
People never seem to know what to give me as a gift when I finish a job. Last job- camping store gift certificate...you know, for all the camping I do. This job- National Geographic subscription...because that's what I read, every day!
Ah well, I guess gifts really aren't for the people who get them, but for the people who give them. Otherwise, why would they be a surprise?
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
also
I would like to add pathetic losers who pose as other people in order to leave crude comments on weblogs to my Jerks and Assholes family. (to those of you who don't know Matt, he doesn't leave any of the comments you may have read before I deleted them)
I would like to add pathetic losers who pose as other people in order to leave crude comments on weblogs to my Jerks and Assholes family. (to those of you who don't know Matt, he doesn't leave any of the comments you may have read before I deleted them)
Picture fun
Some good times in Toronto and Montreal....too bad I can't keep my eyes open when my picture is taken.
Me and (the sadly absent) Charlotte in Toronto
The girls across the table from em and Absentchar
Kung-fu fighting(I don't really have a mullet, it was just windy, honest!)
Jo and Ho's (also fictional...yay for film sets)
Mo' TO
There's more stuff there that you can all enjoy as well, if you know my family...or care.
Some good times in Toronto and Montreal....too bad I can't keep my eyes open when my picture is taken.
Me and (the sadly absent) Charlotte in Toronto
The girls across the table from em and Absentchar
Kung-fu fighting(I don't really have a mullet, it was just windy, honest!)
Jo and Ho's (also fictional...yay for film sets)
Mo' TO
There's more stuff there that you can all enjoy as well, if you know my family...or care.
Monday, April 19, 2004
My Brilliant Career
Online aptitude test at tickle.com tells me that I'm a 'cruise director'.
"If it weren't for guiding lights like you, the world would be a bunch of lost souls and automatons, carrying on the daily grind without any cheer or direction."
Likely careers:
Talk show host, HR director, news anchor, teacher, spiritual leader, socialite.
I rule! (?)
Online aptitude test at tickle.com tells me that I'm a 'cruise director'.
"If it weren't for guiding lights like you, the world would be a bunch of lost souls and automatons, carrying on the daily grind without any cheer or direction."
Likely careers:
Talk show host, HR director, news anchor, teacher, spiritual leader, socialite.
I rule! (?)
Movie Madness
They're filming on our street today (again!) Now every storefront near our place is 'Ho's' something. Ho's Kung Fu, Ho's Cleaners, Ho's Pet Store. It's all very loverly...
It is kind of fun to jog through the middle of a shoot though. I didn't recognize any of the names on the directors chairs. Someone Reid and something something.
They're filming on our street today (again!) Now every storefront near our place is 'Ho's' something. Ho's Kung Fu, Ho's Cleaners, Ho's Pet Store. It's all very loverly...
It is kind of fun to jog through the middle of a shoot though. I didn't recognize any of the names on the directors chairs. Someone Reid and something something.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
An Open Letter to Jerks and Assholes
Dear Sir(s);
I am writing to inform you that it is never appropriate to comment on a woman's figure in a negative manner. This is especially true if said woman is a complete stranger. It is unbecoming of a gentleman to make comments about what a woman is 'packing back there', and any references to 'booty' and/or 'fat asses' are generally frowned upon.
Perhaps it has never occured to you that women agonize about their appearances and already think they are unattractive without your help. Perhaps you never considered that your off-the-cuff remark is enough to make a thin, beautiful girl think she is fat and ugly. Perhaps you didn't know you could make someone quit eating anything but fruit. Perhaps you didn't know she has spent years struggling with an eating disorder. Well, now you do. Congratulations. You are a fine human being.
I would also like to remind the entire J&A club that it is not very polite to roll down one's window and make lewd remarks, to remove one's member from one's pants and dangle it around, to suggest sexual favours in exchange for spare change, to invite a girl home to do drugs, to stalk girls 15 years one's junior and ask them on dates...unfortunately the list goes on.
I am sure you cannot read, so I have no hope that you will read this. However, it is important to me that the world knows you are out on the streets, making people miserable.
Thank you for your time.
Emily
Dear Sir(s);
I am writing to inform you that it is never appropriate to comment on a woman's figure in a negative manner. This is especially true if said woman is a complete stranger. It is unbecoming of a gentleman to make comments about what a woman is 'packing back there', and any references to 'booty' and/or 'fat asses' are generally frowned upon.
Perhaps it has never occured to you that women agonize about their appearances and already think they are unattractive without your help. Perhaps you never considered that your off-the-cuff remark is enough to make a thin, beautiful girl think she is fat and ugly. Perhaps you didn't know you could make someone quit eating anything but fruit. Perhaps you didn't know she has spent years struggling with an eating disorder. Well, now you do. Congratulations. You are a fine human being.
I would also like to remind the entire J&A club that it is not very polite to roll down one's window and make lewd remarks, to remove one's member from one's pants and dangle it around, to suggest sexual favours in exchange for spare change, to invite a girl home to do drugs, to stalk girls 15 years one's junior and ask them on dates...unfortunately the list goes on.
I am sure you cannot read, so I have no hope that you will read this. However, it is important to me that the world knows you are out on the streets, making people miserable.
Thank you for your time.
Emily
Montreal Phenomena
There are some interesting things I have observed in Montreal that don't seem as prevalent elsewhere:
a) The Sunny Side. Everyone here walks on the sunny side of the street. I was walking down St. Laurent (on the sunny side, of course) and I looked across to the shady side. There was no one there. Strange, as it's a busy street. Then I looked ahead and the sunny side was packed with people.
b) Sex cinemas in the middle of ordinary commercial districts. I keep an eye on the one near my work. This week's feature "Slow Burn". I think they've recently brought out their collection of films from the '80s...interesting photographs...
c) Psychotic Pedestrians. Most cities are known for their crazy drivers. Not here. The people who walk the streets of Montreal are crazy! They will walk in front of your car, so beware!
There are some interesting things I have observed in Montreal that don't seem as prevalent elsewhere:
a) The Sunny Side. Everyone here walks on the sunny side of the street. I was walking down St. Laurent (on the sunny side, of course) and I looked across to the shady side. There was no one there. Strange, as it's a busy street. Then I looked ahead and the sunny side was packed with people.
b) Sex cinemas in the middle of ordinary commercial districts. I keep an eye on the one near my work. This week's feature "Slow Burn". I think they've recently brought out their collection of films from the '80s...interesting photographs...
c) Psychotic Pedestrians. Most cities are known for their crazy drivers. Not here. The people who walk the streets of Montreal are crazy! They will walk in front of your car, so beware!
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
My Fabulous Life
I've decided that I must have a fantastic life and only do things I want to do, as long as they are fun, amusing, educational, glamorous and/or exciting. So this afternoon instead of staying at work (boring) I went to the Biodome and out for dinner with my friend Duncan and his two year old daughter Eleni (fun).
Tomorrow I will work from home (amusing) and go to a friend's fashion launch in the evening (glamorous). I even have the perfect retro-seventies slinky dress to wear over pants in fine Montréal style...fabulous.
I've decided that I must have a fantastic life and only do things I want to do, as long as they are fun, amusing, educational, glamorous and/or exciting. So this afternoon instead of staying at work (boring) I went to the Biodome and out for dinner with my friend Duncan and his two year old daughter Eleni (fun).
Tomorrow I will work from home (amusing) and go to a friend's fashion launch in the evening (glamorous). I even have the perfect retro-seventies slinky dress to wear over pants in fine Montréal style...fabulous.
Weekend Partay
Had the greatest weekend of all time at home.
Flew in Friday night to surprise the parents. Then Saturday bronwyn and I checked out her bridesmaid dresses and went to the market followed by a tasty lunch at Viet-Thai mmm...spring rolls.
Then we drove to Toronto to see Richella, which finally happened after we browsed around Holt Renfrew a bunch pretending we could afford stuff and went for coffee like the ladies of leisure we are. We even dressed up! So exciting I feel like all I ever wear are jeans. Then ate at the Red Tomato, plus a little celebratory 'I'm hanging out with my friends, yay!' Grand Marnier cosmo...mmm...alcohol.
Sunday was the family deal- perpetually unfunny wisecracking uncle, loud cousins, crazy great-aunt, vacant grandmother...the usual. Plus spent much of the afternoon avoiding aforementioned cousins by hanging out at Claire's house playing with the ridiculously cute baby David.
Monday was more hanging out and good times.
Hardest part of coming back to Montreal? Leaving my comfy, comfy bed behind at home.
Well, only three weeks left here! crazy. But the countdown is on!
Had the greatest weekend of all time at home.
Flew in Friday night to surprise the parents. Then Saturday bronwyn and I checked out her bridesmaid dresses and went to the market followed by a tasty lunch at Viet-Thai mmm...spring rolls.
Then we drove to Toronto to see Richella, which finally happened after we browsed around Holt Renfrew a bunch pretending we could afford stuff and went for coffee like the ladies of leisure we are. We even dressed up! So exciting I feel like all I ever wear are jeans. Then ate at the Red Tomato, plus a little celebratory 'I'm hanging out with my friends, yay!' Grand Marnier cosmo...mmm...alcohol.
Sunday was the family deal- perpetually unfunny wisecracking uncle, loud cousins, crazy great-aunt, vacant grandmother...the usual. Plus spent much of the afternoon avoiding aforementioned cousins by hanging out at Claire's house playing with the ridiculously cute baby David.
Monday was more hanging out and good times.
Hardest part of coming back to Montreal? Leaving my comfy, comfy bed behind at home.
Well, only three weeks left here! crazy. But the countdown is on!
Monday, April 05, 2004
Scary Stuff
Some random drug addict man who always asks for food on our street getting into the apartment above us and having to be shoved out down the stairs by our neighbour. Julia was home alone and getting ready to shower and the guy pounded on our door before making his way upstairs.
Arrogant Stuff
Julia letting a friend know about her scary experience and him telling her she should've 'preached to him'. Yeah. While naked and alone in our apartment, good plan stupid. After this response he says, 'well, now you know for next time.' Such a kind, reassuring friend. On the upside we ate poutine for dinner with pancakes for dessert.
Some random drug addict man who always asks for food on our street getting into the apartment above us and having to be shoved out down the stairs by our neighbour. Julia was home alone and getting ready to shower and the guy pounded on our door before making his way upstairs.
Arrogant Stuff
Julia letting a friend know about her scary experience and him telling her she should've 'preached to him'. Yeah. While naked and alone in our apartment, good plan stupid. After this response he says, 'well, now you know for next time.' Such a kind, reassuring friend. On the upside we ate poutine for dinner with pancakes for dessert.
In my quest to find prize-winning books I have come across a few interesting tidbits of info. Did you know that Sartre declined the Nobel prize in literature in 1964, but that Samuel Beckett had no problems accepting it in 1969? That can be your random existentialist fact of the day.
Kitchen Genius
We ate the tastiest food yesterday. My housemate Jo made some hummus (her speciality) and I made fresh pitas and some dahl to go with it. Heaven in my mouth...
We ate the tastiest food yesterday. My housemate Jo made some hummus (her speciality) and I made fresh pitas and some dahl to go with it. Heaven in my mouth...
I can't believe I stayed up stupidlate just to download Sex and the City episodes...ack. So. Tired.
Finally started reading Life of Pi. I've decided my new policy is to read books that have won prizes. And possibly books that I think will alter my thinking through exciting new perspectives and worldviews.
Finally started reading Life of Pi. I've decided my new policy is to read books that have won prizes. And possibly books that I think will alter my thinking through exciting new perspectives and worldviews.
