Rock this bitch

May 6th, 2006 has come and gone, and it was worth every minute. The road trip was fun, the concert was awesome, and all in all, it was a good day. It rocked this bitch! ;)

Saturday started early for me - I woke up at 8:30, got showered and dressed and biked down to Kensington to meet my friend Lisa at Moonbean for coffee and to do some shopping in like cool Toronto hipsters for the Sunday adventure. We had a great time - we shared bagels and chatted over coffee, I even had a cup . (This is a big deal - I hardly ever drink coffee). Then running around looking at dressed and hats and gloves. So fun! We managed to get some really great outfits, and then I booted off to start my second adventure of the day: Road Trip to Niagara Falls, NY and the Ben Folds concert.

After some deliberation about the departure time, I finally met up with my rough and tumble concert crew (Tom, Karl, Jeff and Cindy) and we left the urban city of Toronto and headed towards Niagara Falls. It was a good car ride, some highlights included Jeff taking pictures of a little push pin he found stuck in the seat on Tom's car - it was especially funny when he put in in Karl's hair ("Just let it happen!") and when Cindy and I worked together to get a picture of it next to Jeff's mole (they're cousins). Other highlights included Tom's rather unsuccessful ventures trying to find a Tim Horton's - at least it made for a nice detour through Grimsby and good ice cream stop.

After a venture looking at the Canadian falls (and all the tacky touristy crap around) we decided to head over the border. Of course that was an adventure in and of itself because Karl didn't have any photo ID because it all got stolen. Luckily we weren't stuck long, and after some quick fingerprinting and photo taking for Karl and little prayer by the rest of us, we were on our way again. Little did we know were heading into a rather sad and deserted looking town - half of the houses and shops in Niagara Falls, NY were boarded up and the roads were full of pot holes. We did, however, manage to find a gem of a place stop and eat - excellent sweet potato fries.

From there we headed over to the concert venue, which turned out to be quite small. I quickly found my friend Tiffany and her mom Bonnie a.k.a "Momma" Clayton and even my friend's Steve and Bri. It was great. We got a nice seat on the bleachers with a direct view of Ben at the piano and we didn't have to face the nasty crowd of super young college kids on the floor. Just as well because they all seemed so young that if you even looked at them you were jail bait! Ben was awesome! I swear he looked at me a couple of time, right Tiff? ;) Highlight included a great rendition of Bitches Ain't Sh*t and his improved version of Rock This Bitch - "Basketball is my favourite sport, I like to dribble up and down the court..." Love it!

The drive home was pretty quiet, we all just kinda chatted. Cindy and I had a really good talk. Sometimes it's just nice to be around Christian friends. It's pretty special when one minute you can be joking around at a concert together, and the next minute you can be talking about spiritual stuff. I didn't have that for a long time, and it's a true blessing. I tell ya though, by the time we got back to the city I was tired, and ready for bed.

Yep, we definitely rocked it!

Mere Christianity

So, our Living Rooms (small groups) at FT are embarking on a huge project - the study of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. I have to say, I'm really excited by the prospect. I have owned this book for about 5 years nowand have attempted to read it twice to no avail. I'm really glad that we are doing this. From what I have read, I can see that this is an amazing book.

Here's my challenge: if any of you out there are up to it, you should read it too and follow along with the curriculum that FT is doing - it'll be on the church website. Do it.

I love Gilmore Girls.

When I was back at Queen's and living in Apartment 3, me and the girls started what would become an addiction to a great show - Gilmore Girls. Really, there are many who shun it because the characters speak super fast and often make some of the most obscure pop culture references - but that's exactly why I love it! It's a very intelligently written show, and the stories are awesome. Tonight was a good episode. I'm really biting my nails to see what happens next week because the whole Luke and Lorelai wedding biz seems to be going down the shitter, and I can't figure out if this is a good or bad thing. Either way, it doesn't seem like they are communicating properly.

Wow. I really did just write about this...Sigh....more proof I am a girl.

Snail mail surprise!

This evening I got home to a very lovely surprise - a snail mail letter from a somewhat long lost friend who is now living in New York (read New York, baby!) and trying to make it as an actor! It was awesome to just have a tangible letter once again, it's a treat I haven't had since I left camp about 2 years ago. Wow.

I truly is amazing to get a snail mail letter - there is so much there that can be read. Plus, you also get to see the expression in the person's handwriting, and that's cool too. Plus, I just feel honoured to be back in touch with this person. He was someone I knew and just connected with when I was at school. We didn't always talk, but whenever we did, it was good conversation, usually about something mildly serious, and most often on theological issues. He's challenging in that sense, but in a very good way. I feel very happy, and very honoured.

Thanks friend (even if you will never read this because you don't have a computer!)

A Ben Folds Concert Teaser

I can't edit sound worth a damn, but oh well. Enjoy this little teaser friends.

A well spent Friday evening

Alas, sometimes you just have to give in and be a girl. Tonight I wasn't feeling at all well, in fact, I caught a naseous/dizzy spell at work around five pm and didn't get much repose from it until I got home and ate something substantial. I decided to blow off any strenuous activity for the evening, and hang at home. I ordered dirty bird (aka Christian chicken) and sat back watching a classic 80's movie, Girl Just Want to Have Fun starring Sarah Jessica Parker (very much pre Sex and the City) and Helen Hunt (very much pre Mad About You). I love this movie. It's so 80's! And it's great that I only have it on VHS because you get the whole experience.

I also took the opportunity to paint my toe nails and finger nails - my toes are once again a very lovely shade of red and my nails are just painted with clear polish, but they are nicely trimmed to equal length and filed into a nice squarish shape. (The square shape works better for me because I have very roung finger nails, and it just looks better).

So, just in case any of you were in doubt I am a girl...

shameless plug

My friend Rachel is having a blog comment contest - and I'm putting in a shameless plug for her.  Go to her blog, post a comment.  I don't care if it's not original.  I just care that you do it!  

Hook it up.

p.s. I apologize I'm not creative with the blog post today, I'm too dang tired.

Put on a happy face

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!

A lighter shade of grey

I'm feeling a little better today - not quite so angry and bent out of shape. I think prayer has really helped, and getting to go to LR last night was great. I really love those people. I mean, it's pretty sweet to be able to spend an evening with a bunch of crazy people telling jokes then start praying with them. You hear that? I LOVE YOU ALL!

Work has been pretty good too, it's the first day where things have been easing up a little since last week. Let's hope it stays steady but not crazy busy. I think this last week has been bringing down morale a little, so it'll be really good to have things settle down.

I've also been trying not to think so despairingly about the world and my surroundings too. Sometimes when you getting into a vicious cycle, it's next to impossible to get some outside perspective, but I praise the Lord because I've got some truly good friends who have all been trying to lift me out of my slump. Again, I LOVE YOU ALL.

Plus, I've now got even more to look forward to when it comes to the Ben Folds-a-go-go situation. Not only have a managed to rope in one person (Tom) but alas, there are now three other that are coming to the concert (Karl, Jeff & Cindy). I'm totally getting excited. I got the first set of tickets in the mail today. WAHOO! I can't wait! Ben Folds rocks my suburbs! (And, no, that's isn't an innuendo).

She's heading into a better frame of mind.

Dare you to move

The times they are a changing. There is a new warmth in the breeze, and people are finding themselves stopping to notice the daffodils. Green life is poking up around the city, and new earth is being upturned. Everywhere there is new life. There is a restlessness that is entering into affairs as people begin to open their windows and beat the dirt out of their rugs. Piles of unwanted things are being discarded in the hopes of creating a cleaner, fresher living space and renewal is the word that sits resting on the tip of the tongue. And there is another word on the tongue of many I know as well: moving.

It seems the trend as of late is to find new living arrangements, and I friends, must admit I too am finding myself bitten by the bug. I've been in my current local for nearly two years now, and circumstances have changed many a time, but now I find myself ready to move on. I am ready to embrace the prospect of a new home. It may not happen right away, but I want to step out into something new, and new adventure.

After all, one can only move forward.

Rough and tumbly

Ever take a minute to just stop and think what it was like to be a kid? Just rough and tumbly, not having a care in the world, wanting to be outside and playing in the dirt. Ever new step was a huge adventure, and there was something to be learned around every corner. Life was new and exciting and you weren't jaded in any way. There was optimism and hope in every breath. You were free, free to just run and play. You could take risks on your crappy bike, fall down, cry and then be jumping for joy the next minute.

Heavens I miss that.

Waiting to breathe

Like it seems most of my friends are, I'm feeling overwhelmed.  We've been slammed at work, and I'm tired of talking to people.  It's starting to take it's toll on my home life too.  My brain can't take any more. Even my jaw hurts, kinda sad seeing as I talk all day long for a living.

More poison.

Sometimes you need to find a weekend Barbie

So, this was an ok weekend - I've been realizing lately that I need more time to just me than I've been taking and this weekend I managed to get a little "me" time. I've gone through a few up and downs and I'm not quite sure, but I think I'm coming out on top tonight, though still feeling a little bruised. I've been pondering a lot lately about things that I should be doing, and as my friend Karl pointed out on Friday - maybe thinking too much isn't a good thing. In the case of the last little while, seeing as more often than not my true searching has been getting truncated, I'm finding myself inclined to agree. I've been too focused on my inabilities to do certain things and my inability to understand my steps that I've put myself into a self-depricating cycle - and well, that's just crappy.

In fact, I was really cranky all day yesterday. Interestingly enough, I came to a realization. I am angry right now. I'm angry at my job, at people, at my own claustrophobic position in life and my willingness to take a stand-still position. I'm angry at my jealously of those pursuing their dreams. I'm angry at my pent up feelings. I'm angry at my thoughts. I'm angry - and it's making me tired.

It's poisonous.

Luckily, yesterday I was totally blessed with a random visit from my friend Ryan - he came downtown to see the Jays and we ended up having a really good long talk - our first outside of work, actually. It was awesome. We talked about a lot of things, and he listened to me flushing out my anger. But what was particularly wonderful was his outstanding ability to be really uplifting. This is a genuine, loving and caring individual. He's young, but he's got a really good head on his shoulders already and I'm glad to be able to call him friend. Really. It was an invaluable moment in my weekend. It was just the breath of fresh air I needed. Something that took me out of the motions and mixed two different worlds. Plus, he spoke some really good words of wisdom that I might just have to think about. Especially his encouragement to stop thinking so much about my own tasks, and start focusing on the world outside - something that I think is a VERY important next steps for myself and many others that I know.

Ry, thank you, and I see the wooden horse will come and when it does, you'll be the first to know.

Writing of bastardly comments on blogs

What is the motivation behind that? Does that make you feel good? You have the right to an opinion, sure, but I will not post it on my comments section because it's not worth publishing.

This goes out to those who want to write things like "hope you fall of your bike" and "shut up".

Boo on that.

Not so sure

Tonight, I went to a great event - I got to see JKKB and Red Zepplin play at Clinton's. Very cool. Plus we were celebrating my good friend Kate's b-day. I had a good time. I even ran into friends I haven't seen for ages...it was good. But alas, I really wanted to talk to my good friend and confidante about some crap going on in my life and I kinda touched on it, and well, I felt like it was a cheap conversation and I am so confused as to it's message. I'm just not so sure...

False humility

As I was commuting to work today, I was pondering the tendency of what I have dubbed "false humility". I'm referring to the want to express your hard work on a certain humbling experiences to others in a way that it almost back-handedly asking for acceptance. It creates a sense of insecurity and insincerity. Who else is guilty of this all the time?

As per normal, I find myself getting stuck on the balance between the extremes. One cannot be too humble, so as to not accept any attention, as that is a form of humbleness that masks a slight arrogance, meaning as you are too good to accept praise or, worse, that masks one's inability to love oneself. Also, one cannot also be too proud as to believe they should never be broken in a humbling experience.

Humbleness, but definition is not proud or even can be said to be actions offered in submission style (read servitude in Christian-ese). Of course, approaching any task with this mind set is not easy, and I believe, in fact, that it takes a very special person to come across as truly humble. More often than not, we want to seem like we're coming from the right place, saying that we're willing to serve others modestly. Yes, intentions of that nature are fantastic, and should be practiced, but how often to we hide that need for acceptance and validation in our hearts are we embark on our day to day tasks? Are we all falling into the trap of "false humility?"

I know myself, there are times that I do certain actions that appear to be serving on the outside, but on the inside I might be thinking "If I just do this, then I will seem like this..." Knowing that I have this tendency is of course the first step, but it's hard. I want so much to just "be" and not to worry about the debilitating constraints of this world, or even self-imposed constraints.

Maybe it just comes down to a question - "What is my motivation?"

Think about it. I know I will.

Blog updates galore

Friends of the dramaqueen,

I've been busy updating the sidebar. I've added links for some bands that I know. Some are friends from FT, some from Queen's, and some from Toronto, there is even a friend from Lab West. Check 'em out! I've revamped the blog links too - there are some new pages to read and now you can read them by more or less updated categories. There's an art section if you're into visual art, I'm proudest of my uncle's work, naturally, but there are some great pics on there. Finally, there are a few other links added here and there. Feel free to peruse.

The Reigning Drama Queen

Pieces of Art

It seems that taking pictures of oneself for artsy purposes does pay off. Although I have been too lazy to get on my own artsy initiative, my friend Sue's from work has kindly passed on my self-portrait pictures to her artist friend Eleanor Chapman and she's done her digital art magic on them. Yes, folks. I am now featured as art. Very cool.

Check out Eleanor's gallery here or use the link on the sidebar. (Oh, but please note, there is some artsy nakedness on this site - don't be afraid).

A casual reminder to the world

LIS.TEN

Main Entry: 1lis·ten
Pronunciation: 'li-s&n
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): lis·tened; lis·ten·ing /'lis-ni[ng], 'li-s&n-i[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English listnen, from Old English hlysnan; akin to Sanskrit srosati he hears, Old English hlud loud
transitive senses, archaic : to give ear to : HEAR
intransitive senses
1 : to pay attention to sound
2 : to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration
3 : to be alert to catch an expected sound

An non-church related post!

I managed to score tix to see Ben Folds in concert on May 6th in Niagra Falls, NY. I'm super excited!

Now I just have to 1) find someone to take the second ticket (you might as well buy two while you're at it) and 2) borrow/rent a vehicle to get there or coerce a friend with a car into coming.

Ben Folds, I'm a coming to see you! Yeah, you!

WAHOO!

Steps in the right direction

So, it's Easter Monday and I'm back at work. I'm finding myself unsure of what I think and feel today, and in fact, I'm a little emotional. This past weekend was amazing - lots of church - and our service last night at Freedomize was totally full of the Spirit. I even got a little ghosted (Christianese for feeling the Lord acutely). It was great. We topped off the whole experience with a very enjoyable dinner at The Keg. 10 oz New York Striploin, yes please!

But yet, today I am finding myself in a weird space. Over the weekend it really became clear to me that I am going to have a rough time in the next little while with the day to day and that I really need God's guidance and understanding to make it through. I have been asked to commit to certain actions for the Lord, and I am gung-ho for the outcome in the long run, but I don't think I know how to make it through the day to day. Baby steps.

Easter has convicted me all the more than I need to lay down my trials at the feet of the Lord and He will set me straight.

Amen to that.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluiah!

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" (Luke 24: 1-6)

For tonight a glorious thing is happening

Watch by the cross

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34)

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished". With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19: 28-30)

Today is Good Friday. Today is the day that my Saviour died. He died on the cross so that I may be saved from evil, from all sin, and so that I might have everlasting life. For this reason, I stand by the cross today, and forever more. God gave up his only son, the physical manifestation of His own holiness, to a brutal death, just as it was foretold in the book of Isaiah.

In a world where there are so many moments where we want to cry out ourselves saying "My God, what have you forsaken us?", isn't it right to take a moment and realize that those words have already been uttered by the One whose life was closest to God, they did not go unheard. The cries of our suffering Messiah were not in vain, because the lamb taken to the slaughter was risen from the dead in three days time and with that comes freedom and salvation.

You may disagree with what I am saying, you may just think of today as a day to be off of work, you may even this that I am crazy. But again, in a world such as we live in, I'd rather cling to hope than to death, because I know death has no power over me.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

Isaiah 53: 1-7, 9-12

He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering,
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each one of us has turned to his own way;
and the Lord had laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and
cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering
[...] the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
[...] because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.

Reconnecting...

When I went to Africa, I remember thinking how wonderfully strange it was to be in Africa, where I was born, the home I'd never really known. And it made sense. Deon even said "Africa is in your blood!" and I agree whole heartedly because deep down inside I know Africa is a part of who I am. That means a lot, especially to this little girl, who's moved quite a bit in her lifetime and doesn't always know where to say home is.

Now, in strange change of heart kind of situation, I find myself longing to reconnect to my home of fifteen years, Labrador. The circumstances which caused out move from there seven years ago were, well, less than desirable. My father lost he job very unexpectedly just over a year before I graduated high school, and again, the whole situation was a little messy. It generated lot of hurt and anger within my family. I won't air the dirty laundry, but because of this I began to associate a bitter taste in my mouth Lab West.

Furthermore, as I grew up, I noticed that who I was when I was there was less than desirable as well. I was downright mean at times - mean enough to allow myself to turn my back on my very own sister because she wasn't one of the "cool kids" and I desperately wanted nothing more than to be accepted. And, yes, I am aware that this is something that is very much associated with being a teenager, but all the same... Moving on from there gave me perspective on my selfish tendencies and the thought of going back was scary because it meant facing my ugly self.

Furthermore, there is a part of me that always felt isolated and boxed in by being in a small town. Maybe it was because my mother never failed to remind me that there was a whole big world out there, and not to rule out any possibilities. Maybe it just comes down to the fact that I I don't have that inherent tie to Wabush now because my family has moved and most of my friends too. I guess that's why it's so strange to me now to want to get back in touch with my "home".

Mostly, I find myself missing the people. There are so many great people in Labrador West that I cut myself off from 1) because I'm really, really bad at staying in touch and 2) because it was hard to stay in touch because I wanted to move forward and I selfishly thought that Lab West was going to hold me back. (NB: To any of you great friends, please accept a heartfelt apology - you are still wonderful).

Lately, mostly through the wonders of My Space, I've managed to reconnect with a lot of these people from home. It's great! I'm even making new friends with people that I only kinda sorta knew back then. Plus, I'm actually considering going back to visit at some point once I get back in touch with some of my friend who are there. And I'm really excited about this prospect. I miss the woods, I miss the water, I miss the feeling of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Maybe there's more Labrador in me than I thought.

p.s. Thank you to Larry Jenkins, Glen Benson and Mary Jacobs for their awesome photos.

Martha, you help us make good cookies!

Ok, so just as I predicted, the sleepover was so very much fun. Contrary to popular belief, we did not have tickle fights in our underwear, or talk about boys. We did, however, eat lots of sugary things, watch a tween movie and stay up late. It was great. Ann Marie and Johanna came over for a bit on Friday night, and we just had fun being girls. It was great!

Saturday morning, we slept in a bit, and then Lisa came over for some much needed bonding over brunch time. (Brunch feast = caramel cinnamon buns, bacon, omelet, cantalope...mmm...) It was great because the whole situation was kinda thus: Rachel calls Lisa says come eat breakfast; Lisa says she'd eaten already but will come for coffee; Lisa comes and eats full serving of food. Ha!

After we cleaned up the breakfast stuff, we just kinda lazed around and then embarked on a new adventure - making sugar cookies using Rachel's amazing KitchenAid mixer and a recipe from Martha Stewart. With this dynamic duo, we were bound to succeed, especially seeing as the recipe involved adding brandy or cognac to the dough - we didn't have either, so we got adventurous and added Disaronno. Mmm...Oh, and we also iced the cookies with Easter coloured royal icing. It was a blast - think arts and crafts meet cookie making. It was priceless.

All in all, it was a great sleepover/lazy Saturday (seeing as I didn't get home until 6:30!) Wow.

Love you girls.

Silly girl, isn't it your bedtime?

It's about 1:30 am, and I'm still messing around on my computer.  I should be sleeping.  This is silly.  But still, I opt for updating my MySpace profile, and I add new links and things to my blog. 

Silly girl, indeed.

Fun fashion and the push/pull

Tonight I went out dancing to celebrate my friends Ann Marie and Mena's birthday at Supermarket. It was a good time for sure, we danced as much as we could! (I didn't last nearly as long as I wanted to seeing as sleepover = going to sleep late and eating too many sweets). It was just another one of those funny FT does dancing outings that I always kinda think about afterwards.

Sometimes it's just weird to go out and do "normal" activities with the church fam. The whole dance club experience is super different. Normally, the whole clubbing context is generally sexualized and surrounded in a flood of alcohol (at it's worst mind you) but that element isn't a focus in the least when you're out with Christian friends. In fact, it's liberating to some extent because you know you don't have to worry about people trying to hassle you or hit on you, and it's nice. But at the same time it can be awkward depending on you own motivations for the evening...

For example, this evening, I felt good. I had on one of my "fun fashion" outfits on (see right) - i.e. an outfit that I had put a little thought into that is a little more funky - and there was a part of me that wanted the guys at the club to appreciate me for that, and my assets. In the back of my head, there was this small, self-serving voice that was saying "I look good tonight, I could totally make a good impression on a boy if I wanted to". The other voice was thinking "Do you really want that to be a basis for meeting your husband, 'cause that's what you really want, right?" It's a tricky push/pull that one...In the end, I don't think I really want either, I just want to be appreciate for who I am, and be ready to accept meeting the right person when the time comes. And that probably won't be at a club, and it may not even be at FT, I don't know. I'll have to wait and see.

I just makes me think about the fine balance between our own small inner voices and the still small voice that is meant to lead us onward. Vanity vs Victory. Which will win the next battle?

Good ol' fashioned sleepover!

Tonight's the night! I'm going to have a sleepover - like the ones you had in highschool and junior high with my girls Roshan, Rachel and Lisa and maybe even more. The plan is to wear flannel pjs, eat junkfood, watch girly movies, giggle, and to generally just have some fun.

I'm really looking forward to it seeing as, truth be told, I get a long much better with guys than I do with girls. It's a weird thing. Even since highschool I have usually had a small group of girls that I get along with, and the rest of my friends tend to be guys. I'm not entirely sure why that is, but it may be because of the competitive edge that seems to be inherent in girl frienships. Having a "strong" personality makes it an interesting balance - in fact, more often that not, the girls I am friends with usually have strong personalities too - it cuts down the crap when you're not all vying for the same thing because you're all comfortable with your own thing.

So, yes, I'm excited about tonight. Plus, sometimes, there is just serious lack of girl bonding at FT, and I'm jumping at the chance to spend some QT - quality time (vs AT - ass time) with the girls.

Here's props in advance.

A new role to fill

So, I've been dubbed with a new function, friends.  I have been officially given a purpose in life.  According to my friend Ryan I fill a void in his life and I am - get this - the equivalent to the annoying pop-up paperclip help tool in Microsoft Office.  Apparently I'm just oh so good a providing not needed information, distracting him from getting his work done, and all too satisfying to minimize.

Such beautiful imagery.  So eloquently put.  I just wish I could hide the sarcasm I feel nearly half as well. HA!

Just friends

"The friend zone", "we're just friends", "c'mon it's not like that, we're like brother and sister"...and so on. How many of us have been caught in that sort of situation when you're really rather be in another category? I know I've been there. I've been there to the point of going back and forth in the like/not like sense with a friend so many times that I've damned near ruined a great friendship. I've also been in the "just a friend" category with one to many men it seems. Ha! In fact, in High School, I end up being the girl that every guy I liked seemed to come to for advice about the girl he liked! Argh! No one likes being that position.

What do you do about it? Do you settle? If for some reason you can get past the romantic feelings you have for someone can you still be their friend? And when and if you get to a point where that isn't an option anymore, what do you do?

This is something I wonder about - the fine lines between friendship and romance and between infatuation and love. Surprise, surprise, I don't have all the answers. But it gets you thinking. What do you do for love? What do you do for friendship?

Maybe it just boils down to trust and vulnerability. In this "non-committal" world, maybe it's better to take a stance or even to just throw something at the wall and hope it sticks. Isn't that what it's about? You've got to put yourself out there, and just keep the faith that when it really matters the one you love will love you back.

But it doesn't always work that way. You might not always get that feeling in your gut that says "This is IT!" Maybe you'll just end up with a long lingering feeling that there is potential for more between you and a friend. Are you willing to risk everything for that potential, and what if that doesn't work out? Can you go back to being friends?

Well, at least on that I have an opinion. I believe there is always that potential. After all, I've managed to stay friends with at least 2 ex-boyfriends and numerous ex-almost-boyfriends...It just takes time, and understanding...maybe a good cry, pint of ice cream or in a worse case scenario a few days being plain bitchy (sorry Seaners). I'm so blessed to still have these friends because these are people I truly value. Of course, it does help if you've got a solid friendship/acquaintance to stand on before you start messing with it.

It's weird though, lately I've found myself toying with the other side of the coin. As hard as it may be, you may hit the wall and give into the fact that it may not be possible to remain friends, especially if you're always looking for something more. (This goes for both ex and crush situations as well). It comes down to realizing you just might have to surrender the friendship because you don't know how to love that person in an unselfish way. And that's not a fair or fun place to be in for either party. It's a tough thing to face, especially for one like me who has a hard time letting go of things in general (stupid perfectionist/stubborn streak). I don't like giving up without a fight. It's just humbling to realize that giving over something so important to you just might mean you're about to start one of the biggest fights/struggles of your life - one you may never get to give up on. Sometimes the willingness to take up the fight might just be enough.

Again, it's a fine line. One I'm going to keep walking until I land on the right side.

The OCSI: Toronto

Queen's Players Toronto is at it again. They've got a new show on the books, and it's shaping up to be one heck of a good time yet again. (And of course, with the added bonus of things being for charity).

This weekend I was very lucky to get a previous of the script, which is still in progress, and give some input on how things were progressing. The funniest part of the whole experience was that, well, I happen to be a HUGE CSI fan, and during the it's first season, I also watched The OC religiously. It seemed that I was pretty much the only one who knew all the characters, and it was rather funny...

I clearly watch entirely too much TV.

p.s. QPT are holding auditions for the show - details are on the website (see above link).

I gots me some new glasses!

So, I don't think I can honestly remember the last time I got a new pair of glasses, I feel it was at least a few years ago, so, yes, I took advantage of my benefits and I got new glasses. When I first put them on, I was like "yikes, these are conservative", but alas, I like these new ones. You guys can decide for yourself:

For those in the tax season

Got any water?

I feel like I need to swallow my foot.

Crap.

I said something today, mostly out of a selfish need for reassurance, and I'm not really sure that I did the right thing. I mean, yes, if there is something bothering you do something about it, but just be careful and sensitive about it...

And today, I just might not have been.

Crap.

Morgan Spurlock was right - UPDATED

Revised Title: Morgan Spurlock was right about McDonalds feeling icky*

I did it. I ate some McDonald's tonight, for no good reason other that I felt like a little bit of greasy food and there it was...Now I feel like it's all just sitting there. I don't feel ill, just lathargic...but that may also have to do with the fact that I only slept 4 hours last night and have been awake since 4:45 am...

Blarg.

* updated in light of fact that Morgan Spurlock has recently made some politically incorrect statements in from of teens when visiting a school, therefore he is not right about everything. :)

The Peevery style peeves

Here is my attempt a Peevish style posting:

A uterus is a private thing

Coworker, I do not want to be subjected to your loud calls of "Gross! I can't wait to get pregant so I won't have this anymore!" while you are in the stall. Not everyone wants to know it's that time of the month for you. It is especially disconcerting when these statements are punctuated by sounds of you opening a feminine product loud enough for the entire bathroom to hear you. Girls bleed, suck it up. It's a good thing you can have children, remember?

filed under Health/Beauty, Poop Etiquette


Excuses, excuses...

I'm finding myself slowly loosing my patience with a lame group member. If you're signed on to a commitment, just do it. You're making the rest of us look like schmucks because you don't show up. It shouldn't be a matter of giving half-assed "I'm sorry...blah...blah...blah..." reasons for not showing up week after week. Show up or leave the group, it's a simple choice. If you put half as much commitment into coming as you do into making excuses it would be a significant improvement.

filed under People, Biggest Peeve Ever

Confessions of a shoe snob

Today I walked into work, and in my regular pre-shift check in with my pal Ryan, we had a little chat about his shoes and whether or not they work out well with his outfit. Interestingly enough, this type of conversation is not foreign to my chats with Ryan. After it was all over, I kinda smiled to myself, and realized just how these types of conversations got started. It was all because of my confession - (insert dramatic pause here) - Friends, I am a shoe snob - (insert gasp here).

Yes, yes, it's harsh I know, but I have been guilty of judging a person's outfit, nay, whole exterior based on their shoes. I don't know why that is, but I do it. If anyone ever says "Don't worry, nobody's going to look at your shoes!", worry because I will be that person. Really.


You may be wondering what makes a terrible shoe/outfit combination? Well, there's broad range of shoe fashion crimes that are commited daily ranging from slight misdemeanors to the really heinous. Most often, people are simply guilty of wearing shoes that do not match their outfit. (Even I am guilty of this at times - running out quickly to the store and grabbing the first pair of shoes...) In other words, it's simply a matter of unbalance. For instance, wearing a nice business suit to a dance and wearing a pair of running shoes. Not good. But yet, this does differ from sporting Chuck Taylor's with a vintage suit, which is of course acceptable because the styles are the same! One must be conscientious of the feel of the outfit and manage to find footwear that fits in.

Other crimes include wearing shoes until they are practically falling off your feet. It's not pretty folks. They may be your favs, but if so, please keep them to minimal use. It can make the outfit look unfinished. Well, and sometimes you just have to admit they're dead. Yes, lay down those dogs and let them lie. Another crime is not realizing that your shoe choice is just plain...well, outdated. I mean, retro is retro, and old is just old. It's a fine line and sometimes is not so obvious, but part of you has to be ready to admit that what was cool in 1990, say neon coloured jelly shoes. might not fly today unless you of course have a really, really good outfit to go with them (see above). And sometimes things get heinous, well, because, there really isn't anything any else to call it. Though, I guess I'm trying to border on not being too critical. But alas, there will always be things you'll never wear, right? For instance, the dead cows pictured here.


Anyway, enough from this snob. Make you own decisions everyone. And be true to your own choices! In the end, my opinion won't matter.

Oh, and props to www.badshoe.com for helping me find such great pictures. Seriously, a fun site, check it out.

Go on, step out in style.

Learning the glory of widgets

So, I'm clearly converting over in a really crazy way. Today I spend a good solid 45 minutes browsing widget downloads and I managed to find one that SCREAMS me. Yep, it's a little box that spits out quotes from 80's movies in a weird robot-like voice. It's great. I actually squealed when I found it. So far I've been given quotes from Sixteen Candles, Pee-Wee Great Adventure and Mannequin. Seriously, could this be any more my style? hehehehe.

I am loving this.

Shout out to Jen G for the love of widgets.

Can USB any more annoying?

So, I've taken the time to set up the new printer. The ink is in, the paper is set. It's ready to go, I've got everything in the box. But what the crap? I need a USB cable to connect it to my computer. Sure, that's fine, but where, where I say is it written on the box that I need this cable? I mean, had I known, wouldn't I have bought it along with the computer and printer puchase.

This is balls.

Discombobulated

Hmm...Today, I feel a little off my game. I slept in, I cleaned house, cleaned my room, watched a movie, and just was.

But I feel just a little off my game.

It's hard to say why, I mean, really, there isn't anything wrong. In fact for the last couple of weeks I've been in a really good place. I guess maybe I'm just seeing the reality of the situation. With change comes change. Funny that.

I'm not scared of it all though, I mean, the change. Well, I guess it's hard to be scared because I don't know exactly what is going to happen, but you know, it's ok, things are gonna shift, and this time I think it's going to be a peaceful (though not easy) journey.

I'll keep you posted.

My fours

I've been tagged via email, and well, I don't want to do a forward, so here is some information about me:

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Usher
2. Children's Nanny
3. Camp Counselor
4. Retail Associate a.k.a. Sales Babe (it's more glam than the former title)

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Spaceballs
2. Bridget Jones' Diary
3. Best In Show
4. Spinal Tap

Four places I have lived:
1. Wabush, NL
2. Kingston, ON
3. Kitchener, ON
4. Toronto, ON

Four tv shows I love to watch:
1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2. Gilmore Girls
3. Miami Ink
4. Mythbusters

Four places I have been on Vacation:
1. Cape Town, SA
2. Bay of Fundy, NB
3. Tour of Europe - Contiki European Panorama - 12 countries, 28 days
4. New York City, NY

Four websites I vist daily:
1. Gmail
2. Blogger.com/My Blog
3. F-Net
4. Apple.ca (at least lately)

Four of my favorite foods:
1. My mother's roast lamb
2. Steak
3. Cool Ranch Doritos
4. Stir-fry

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Cape Town, SA
2. Paris, France
3. Anywhere in Australia
4. Sitting in a cafe on Queen W, reading

Labrador West - this is where I used to live

First post from a new computer

It's here. I'm on my new computer and it's absolutely lovely, friends, really. I'm in love.

Joining the ranks

Ok, Tuffy, this post is for you.

I've done it. Yep, I have officially just become a member officially for the first time. I am now a member of the Ben Folds Fan Club, and I don't feel ashamed at all. It's worth it! Not only is he a great artist, and so awesome in concert, there are some added perks of being a part of the club, that my friend Tiffany has gladly pointed out to me.

You see, recently she took advantage of the pre-sale ticket offers that you get as a fan club member, and scored seats to see Ben in Ann Arbour, MI. She informs me that she was close enough to see the sweat on his brow! (Actually, she said the spit from his mouth, but figured that sweat was slightly more attractive sounding). I can't wait to get my new member package - hehehe.

BEN FOLDS ROCKS.

I'm just sayin'.

It's gonna be a short night of sleep!

Well, I managed to get a much needed shift change so I can go to LR tomorrow night, which is really sweet - I'm glad I can even host tomorrow night, but the kicker is that the shift I ended up getting as 7am - 3pm! Talk about going from extremes! I'm going to be taking the bus at 5:30 am, and seeing as I'm working until 8 tonight, I wonder if I just shouldn't sleep here! Ha!

At least it'll remind me of the good old flight attendant days...There's nothing quite like taking the "vomit comet" to the airport at 3 in the morning...

A little slow on the uptake

Ok, so I'll admit it, I'm a curling fan. It's one of my all-time favourite things to watch in the winter olympics, but alas this year, I didn't get to watch nearly as much of the goings on in Torino as I would have liked. And this remains my excuse for being so slow on the uptake...

You see, I knew that the Canadian onlympic men's team was from Newfoundland, and yes, having grown up there knowing quite a few great curlers from Labrador City, I was very proud. But was I wasn't was "in" on the fact that, well, being proud of Labrador City curlers and the Olympic teams meant I should be doing one and the same. Yes, if you can believe it, about a month too late, I came home to Kitchener and walked into my Mom asking me "Hey, didn't you used to play with Mike Adams? And don't you know Mark Nichols?" And I was like, "Yeah, why?" Well, as it turns out Mark played in the gold-winning game and Mike was an alternate. Holy crap! Talk about amazing. I'm so much more proud now! I know Olympic athletes - and I grew up with them in the middle of nowhere in Labrador! Imagine that!

Here is a link to a pic of the team - Mike Adam, with whom I played many an hour of hide-and-seek with is on the far left, and Mark Nichols, with whom I shared a school and acted in plays with his sister is second from the right.

The anticipation is killing me

Ok, so, I'm dying here - my new lovely computer has been delayed in shipping. The new estimated shipping date is this coming Monday, and I'm fraught with anticipation. I just keep thinking - just make it through the weekend...you can do it. I swear, if it's delayed again I'll cry. My current computer is killing me. I can't do anything on it that doesn't take about 20 minutes. I mean, I can turn it on, toast my bagel in the morning, and still come back before it's done loading up Gmail. It hurts so bad. I can't wait to be working on my new superfast, superwicked machine! Just another couple of days...

A bad hair day

Today, my bangs are driving me crazy. I woke up early this morning to go for breakfast with my good friend Coatesy. I knew we were on a time constraint, I was ready to go early enough, but just as I was getting ready to go it struck. You've got it - a bad hair day. I looked in the mirror and thought, there is no way I am leaving the house looking like this. So I tried to do a quick fix, but still the bangs are just not good enough today. I can't handle it. Grr. They are officially driving me crazy. Good thing tomorrow is another day.

I'm free!!!

Ok, so there was one more AMAZING thing that happen this weekend, and well, I believe that it deserves it's very own post...

A little while ago, I wrote on my blog, and I wrote about a sense of anxiety because I knew something was going to happen, and I didn't know what. Well, now I know what it is, and all I can say is "HECK YAH! AMEN TO THAT! WOOHOO!"

You see, as the circumstances of this past week unfolded, I've had several indepth conversations with my friend Jay that got me thinking about a few things. One particular struggle came to the forefront, something I've been wrestling with for about about a year now. It relates to some mixed emotions about some events that happen in my life that I had a hard time letting go of. (I know this is very cryptic, but I'm not airing the dirty laundry in public). Since then I've had to struggle with some major feelings of hurt and confusion. In our talks this week, Jason convicted me to take a stand - if I was trying to deny what I had to do to I needed to just face it and commit to a decision. Wow.

For so long, I've been pushing this issue around in my brain, and well, it's really done more harm than good. I've been reluctant to confront my true feelings, partly out of fear and partly out of guilt. Really, the whole thing cut me so deep, my gut reaction was just to not think about it. And in not thinking about it it seeped into the very core of my being and was eating away at part of my heart. The burden just weighed there.

It's a good thing God's got a nice sense of humour, and He doesn't really hurtful things lie forever. You see, this past Sunday, I got a call from someone, someone directly related to the above confusion. It was amusing because it happened "out-of-the-blue" and conveniently in the same week as Jay's pointed statements - insert pause here and upward look to say "Tricky, very tricky!" I agreed to meet with this someone, and it was good and it was fine, and there was no pain at all, and there was no confusion at all, and I came home and I paused. And I looked up again, and I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace and freedom.

I'm free. I free of this stronghold on my life. I am free of the burden's caused and it is no longer mine to bear. I'm free of all the senseless months of pain and anguish and confusion. I have a clear head again and I'm free!

HALLELUJAH!

Spring is in the air

This weekend has a distinct spring-time theme to it. It's nice to be slowly moving into new weather and such. And this past weekend was just full of reminders that spring is on the way. Plus, overall, it was just a damn good time.

Friday night, my friend Roshan and I went to the "Spring Fling" for work and got to dance up a storm. It was a lot of fun to spend some time with people from the call centre outside of a work context. Me, being a slightly mischievous girl, enjoyed every minute of trying to make those who would not normally dance get up on the dance floor. It was fun. Really.

It also really helped the weather was gorgeous both Saturday and Sunday. I actually broke out my bike and took off riding, which was such a lovely treat, seeing as I just adored having a bike this summer. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do, and seriously, it made me a little giddy to be able to take off and ride again. Wahoo!

Then Saturday night I traveled to Pickering to celebrate my friend Tiffany's birthday. (As a side note, she's running a marathon and is raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, sponsor her at Run Tuffy Run. Oh, and Tuffy, did I tell you my aunt died of Non-Hodgekins Lymphoma, YOU ROCK especially hard now, I didn't realize you were running for them!). It was a blast. We had a pink drink theme - Cosmos and Zinfandel - and tons of good eats. Ok, seriously, I'm still salivating over this amazing apple/caramel dish. Mmm...And there was also tons of good conversation. I got to catch up with some amazing Queen's people who I haven't seen in a long while, and even meet some new people. I mean, you can't go wrong celebrating the birthday of an amazing girl, and it doesn't hurt to have a great time doing it!

Another highlight of the day was spending some time having a good heart to heart conversation with my friend Kate. She is also an amazing girl. I've know her for such a long time it seems (we met in first year at Queen's) and have seen each other through quite a few turns since then. Really, she's someone I fully esteem because she is just a great person. It was so nice to connect with her and spend some quality time gabbing about life. Then, to top it off, I had yet another great conversation with Jay later on about life and about inspiration. Good kid, that Jay. Kinda just put the challenge in the simplest terms. And he's living his dream. I'm so proud of him.

It was a good weekend.

A little bundle of joy

So, folks, it's here. It's finally here. I now have my lovely sleek Ipod. I own an Ipod. It's in my hands (well, not literally because 1. I'm at work and it's at home and 2. I'm typing). It's pretty, and it's got my name on it. Just a few more days and I'll be able to use it! (I've got to wait for my new computer because my old one can't handle the Itunes stuff). I can't wait! Wahoo!

Sometimes, I find it is ok to be materialistic.

A post just for Ryan

So, frustration lies here. I am currently awaiting my very lovely computer to be shipped to me. Yes, I said it would be mine, and it will be....I just have to wait for the shipping. Herein lies the frustration. My house does not have a buzzer or a doorbell on it's front gate, so I've been trying to leave messages for the couriers all week so that I can get my stuff delivered without having to go so far out of my way to get the darn things, especially when I don't have a car! Adding to the frustration is the fact that my Ipod and my printer are being shipped separately with different companies! Argh! I don't even know if I've been left a note with a pick-up location for the one either. This sucks. I know they are just doing their job, but still. This sucks. I just want to have my new toys.

Sigh.

Some wintery pics - taken by Maegan Guerette

Time to step up? (Edited)

Just to note - I wrote this post twice apparently- I thought I had lost the first post. I have included both versions here now as I feel they both kinda mix to show what I'm thinking...

Version 1:
Today, I don't find myself feeling any better. I am spiritually and emotionally drained. And what's more, is that last night I started feeling antsy, which in my last year of spiritual growth (translate ass-kicking at times) usually means that something is about to happen. Now, I have yet to be able to discern in advance if this means something good or something bad will happen, but something will happen. And it's tough, because I am just feeling so tired, and I want to cling so closely to the Lord because I know He will be my source of clarity, but at the same time, I'm tired, I don't know if I can step forward and do what He wants me to do. Sigh.

I guess we'll just breathe, take a moment, pray a little, and then step out in faith. I can at least take comfort in knowing, no matter how hard it may be, I'm always taken care off. Amen to that.


Version 2:
Today is another day, and I'm still feeling slight emotionally and spiritually drained. At least it's getting a little better as the day goes on, but still, I'm just not feeling 100% today. What's more is that last night and this morning I was feeling restless, which generally means that I am about to experience something...at least, that's what it's meant over this last year of spiritual growth (translate ass-kicking). So, yeah, looks as if the "Big G" is trying to share something with me, it's just rough that I'm not able to discern what that is just yet. Grr. I know I've gotta stay true, and patient and faithful, but I sometimes hard to be brave when I don't know what to expect. Something is going to shift. I just don't know if I'm ready for it.

Plus, it's not easy to grow in the Lord sometimes. It's really not. It's great when it happens, but it definitely takes a lot out of you. It's hard to take a long solid inward look and say "This is crap, I need this out of my life. Jesus, fix the holes!" because it means sifting through painful thoughts and facing the darkness in order to become victorious over it.

Baby steps.

The German Coast Guard

Many of you have already seen this, for those of you who haven't, enjoy! (Thanks Rachel!)

An interesting Sunday

Boy, I feel tired.

It's been one long Sunday today. It all started early this morning. I got up and went to The Meeting House this morning. It's a totally different church experience than Freedomize, and it was pretty cool. I don't know how exactly I felt about it, but it was good to get out an experience a new perspective. It was also neat to run into two people that I knew from Queen's, neither of which I have seen in a really long time. Very cool. I'm hoping the one guy, Steve, will come to visit FT.

After church, my roomie Nick and my friend Sharon and I went to the Red Room for brunch. It was really fun just to chat and be together. Though, sometimes it was a tad hard to keep up, seeing as the insults were flying to and fro between us all. Luckily, you can still tell there is a lot of love. Yeah, it was nice to have some quality time and a chance to kinda unwind after the service.

Next, I spent the afternoon with my friend Jay. We had a good chat while we were walking around on Queen West trying on a myriad of different hats and buying belt buckles (his says "Lucky Bastard" and can open beer bottles, and mine is a Wonder Woman buckle). But, I must admit, it wasn't an easy afternoon in some senses. In typical Jay fashion, he managed to pick up some crap I've been thinking about lately, and convicted me to do the right thing about it. In fact, we started (rather passionately on either side) discussion the whole Christian dating scene, which I have been really struggling to understand lately...

Mainly, I've been struggling with the idea of being hypersenstive about the whole dating scene, and wondering where the balance lies between our own actions and God's control in letting love grow. I can't help but feel that I don't know what it all means in terms of friendships and relationships...and well...yeah...I get pretty angry about it, to be frank. Something in me is so angry because of the lack of exploration or the lack of risk taking...or maybe just at the lack of...I don't know...something. Grr. (See, anger!) Although there were good points made on either side, in the end it came down to Jay making a very honest observation. Maybe all the time and energy and anger I am feeling about this issue really doesn't have anything to do with the world of dating at all. Maybe I'm just angry at the whole situation because I feel like I'm not being as honest I can with the world, and that is causing me to misplace my anger at the situation, rather than fix my own hurts...Harsh, I know, but it's probably very true.

It got me thinking. It's true, I do just that, I hide who I really am and what I'm really thinking from the world, more often than not. Well, at least when it comes to relationships with boys. I don't know that I want to sit and dissect the whole business on my blog, all I know, is yes, relationships don't come easily to me, and right now I am angry...and I think Jay is very right in pointing out that part of my anger stems from my own inability to show myself as a vulnerable person who gets hurt and who cares, and who, well, just has a hard time believing she is worthy of being loved sometimes. (Really, it isn't that destitute a thing, but these are some scars that I have and that are healing, praise God!)

Needless to say, it was a bit of a heavy afternoon. Then it was church time again. Freedomize was good, but hard as well. Lately, going to Freedomize has been really rough...I still love the church and I feel like it's my home. I just find myself being really restless in the services lately. I can't sit downstairs all the time, or I'll find myself wandering. I feel like He's trying to tell me something, but I can't always make it out. I don't know. But tonight wasn't any different. I was torn. In fact I found myself on the balcony again, this time crying and totally trying to pray away my anger from the afternoon. I just wanted to be in the service, worshipping God, not feeling crappy and angry and resentful. Sigh. It did improve, the end of the service was great, but then more anger about a different frustration crept up again, and I found myself having to leave because I was angry and upset again. Oh dear, the ups and downs...

Then in good Christian fashion, I went and drowned my frustrations in food and drink. Ha! Just kidding, well, except for the eating and drinking business. After the service, we went over to a friend's place to eat and drink and watch the Oscars. Very good. But now it's almost 1 am and I'm tired. It has been a long emotional rollercoaster of a day.

Let's just hope it's a good sleep, and this feeling of restlessness and frustration will disappear.

Some jokes ARE made in good taste

Next year's men's Team Canada coaching advice - Enough said

Adding to the collection...

Yesterday, someone posted on my church website about musicals, and how to get the songs out of your head. Apparently his roomie has been really into watching the new Rent movie. He wanted to know if anyone had another musical to lend to his roomate to get new songs. I, being quite the musical lover, decided to list the musicals I own to help. In doing so, I realized just how ridiculous my musical addiction is...

In fact, I will list my musical collection, at least what I can remember I own, here to give you an idea:

Movies:
Annie
A Chorus Line
The Who's Tommy
The Sound of Music
My Fair Lady
Newsies
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Grease
Grease 2
Singing in the Rain (borrowed)
Cabaret (borrowed)

Soundtracks/Music on CD:
Wicked
The Last Five Years
Song for A New World
Sunday in the Park with George
Godspell (lastest Broadway version on burned CD and old original cast on LP)
Miss Saigon (Highlights only)
The Pirates of Penzance
John and Jen
Lucky Stiff
Urinetown
Throughly Modern Millie
Hair
Aida (Elton John/Tim Rice version)
Bat Boy: The Musical
Les Miserables (10th Anniversary concert version)
The Phatom of the Opera
Bye, Bye Birdie
Crazy For You
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Chicago (movie version)
Moulin Rouge (loose definition of musical)

Recordings live at Queen's:
John and Jen
Lucky Stiff
Five Guys Named Moe
City of Angels
The Rocky Horror Show
Bye Bye Birdie
Bat Boy: The Musical

Various songs from (among others):
Jekyll and Hyde
Chess
Cabaret
Five Guys Named Moe
Blood Brothers
Guys and Dolls
Little Shop of Horrors
Man of La Mancha
Gypsy
Gigi
West Side Story
South Pacific
The Producers
The Music Man
Rent
Funny Girl
Cats
Mamma Mia!
Kiss Me Kate
Carousel
Jesus Christ Superstar
Annie Get Your Gun
Starlight Express

I know, it's a lot! Then if it was just a little ironic trick of nature, I finally got my Amazon order last night, and what did I order? You got it: musicals! Now I can add Marry Me a Little and Starting Here, Starting Now to the collection of CDs...

And people wonder why I'm always singing. HA!