Friday, December 31, 2004
I Hate New Year's Eve, But I Loved 2004
I don't know what it is but New Year's Eve makes me so very crabby. I hate the impending drunkenness and pressure to party. Lately I haven't been making it to midnight, instead opting to stay home alone watching movies and reading. Last year I had the flu so bad I threw up violently without warning in bed at midnight. I was tempted just to roll over and ignore the mess... but I couldn't. I felt so miserable, chilled and sick I remember crying as I soaked the dirty sheets and changed the bed. And it wasn't just one sheet that needed changing... the vomit was on ALL the sheets and pillowcases, soaked right down to the mattress. On New Year's Day day I made a cozy encampment on the couch with pillows and our duvet. I watched all the episodes of Jamie's Kitchen until 9pm, all the while sipping neocitrin.
I've had a great year, as usual. Best career year ever, best bonus (well and truly earned), and best boss. Visited two new countries: England and Cuba. Returned to Italy for a wonderful 10 year reunion with business school classmates and fell in love with Tuscany all over again. Played rugby! Played hockey 3 - 4 hours a week. Suffered my first major sports injury, which is only notable because it means that I am well and truly sporty! Got my dog Ghillie and became a dog park person. Bought my first station wagon and am loving it. Suffered through a major huff with a best-ish friend, seriously considered a breakup, but eventually time seemed to heal the wound. Stayed married - coming up on 10 years! Had my best version of the garden yet. Wrote a couple more short stories. Became a sort-of vegetarian -- the kind that eats cheese, eggs and occasionally (rarely) seafood. Raised over $7600 for breast cancer research and walked 60km in one weekend. Sent out over 80 Christmas cards (is that even an "achievement" or just being anal?). Got through an away-from-home Christmas without a lot of unhappiness and stress. Didn't have any major catastrophes this year, vis-a-vis my brother. Gained a new niece, vis-a-vis my sister. Looked after my mental nephews for a whole weekend. Found almost all the TLCs from 1985 (and found a bunch more Tawingo alumni yesterday for the 45th reunion. I must say I have not regretted buying that classmates.com membership in the least). 2004 rocked.
I don't know what it is but New Year's Eve makes me so very crabby. I hate the impending drunkenness and pressure to party. Lately I haven't been making it to midnight, instead opting to stay home alone watching movies and reading. Last year I had the flu so bad I threw up violently without warning in bed at midnight. I was tempted just to roll over and ignore the mess... but I couldn't. I felt so miserable, chilled and sick I remember crying as I soaked the dirty sheets and changed the bed. And it wasn't just one sheet that needed changing... the vomit was on ALL the sheets and pillowcases, soaked right down to the mattress. On New Year's Day day I made a cozy encampment on the couch with pillows and our duvet. I watched all the episodes of Jamie's Kitchen until 9pm, all the while sipping neocitrin.
I've had a great year, as usual. Best career year ever, best bonus (well and truly earned), and best boss. Visited two new countries: England and Cuba. Returned to Italy for a wonderful 10 year reunion with business school classmates and fell in love with Tuscany all over again. Played rugby! Played hockey 3 - 4 hours a week. Suffered my first major sports injury, which is only notable because it means that I am well and truly sporty! Got my dog Ghillie and became a dog park person. Bought my first station wagon and am loving it. Suffered through a major huff with a best-ish friend, seriously considered a breakup, but eventually time seemed to heal the wound. Stayed married - coming up on 10 years! Had my best version of the garden yet. Wrote a couple more short stories. Became a sort-of vegetarian -- the kind that eats cheese, eggs and occasionally (rarely) seafood. Raised over $7600 for breast cancer research and walked 60km in one weekend. Sent out over 80 Christmas cards (is that even an "achievement" or just being anal?). Got through an away-from-home Christmas without a lot of unhappiness and stress. Didn't have any major catastrophes this year, vis-a-vis my brother. Gained a new niece, vis-a-vis my sister. Looked after my mental nephews for a whole weekend. Found almost all the TLCs from 1985 (and found a bunch more Tawingo alumni yesterday for the 45th reunion. I must say I have not regretted buying that classmates.com membership in the least). 2004 rocked.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
We Missed Christmas, In That, It Occurred Without Us Noticing, And We Did Not Pine For It
Being away for Christmas at an all-inclusive resort felt like we missed Christmas entirely. And actually, that wasn't half bad. All my worries and stresses were pretty much gone when work ended on Dec. 18th. And I didn't really think about Christmas again.
Our resort was lovely. Relatively small number of guest rooms, large property, charming gardens, spiffy rooms, amazing beach, delicious food and fun activities. It was mostly all couples there -- sometimes with their elderly parents and / or grown-up children too. In all a very nice relaxing week.
I was struck by how nice the Cubans were. It's true what we all hear -- that Cubans are open, friendly and warm. They were by far the nicest resort workers we've ever met, and we go down south usually once a year, sometimes more.
The big party night was Dec. 24th. There was special food in the buffet - including a whole roast crackling pig, gigantic roast turkey, a big ham on the bone, and stuff like that. Being a non-meateater I was really tempted to have some turkey -- particularly the skin! Oi! But, I didn't. It was hard to get away from meat though. Sometimes vegetable things touched meat things on the grill, or through cooking utensils. There was plenty of non-meat things to eat, however, if you were vegan or even a strict vegetarian you might have less options.
It was mostly sunny everyday and I soaked up as much of the sun as I could. On average it was about 25 C. If it was sunny, I was sunbathing. I don't have much of a tan though due to wearing 30 SPF everyday. But I still loved that sun! I jumped around in the unheated pool a few times, and jumped in the ocean a few times. I took some long walks on the beach. I read two books (The Potato Factory and The Time Traveler's Wife) and 1 magazine (The Atlantic Monthly). I was basically drinking by 11am each morning, but I only got tipsy once or twice. I thought their mojitos and margaritas were terrible, but the tequila sunrises, pina coladas, beer and wine were fantastic. All the wine was from Spain. Yum.
We met some really, really nice people, exchanged emails, and basically had a great time.
It didn't feel like travel though. It just felt like we went somewhere else and sat there for a week. Having that kind of vacation puts me in the mood for more of a travel-adventure-type holiday where you're seeing stuff and tramping around and in fact NOT relaxing much. Kind of like when we were in England this past summer.
Anyway, it was wonderful to come home to our cats and dog and house even if we had to dig out the car and spread some salt around to de-ice our walks.
Being away for Christmas at an all-inclusive resort felt like we missed Christmas entirely. And actually, that wasn't half bad. All my worries and stresses were pretty much gone when work ended on Dec. 18th. And I didn't really think about Christmas again.
Our resort was lovely. Relatively small number of guest rooms, large property, charming gardens, spiffy rooms, amazing beach, delicious food and fun activities. It was mostly all couples there -- sometimes with their elderly parents and / or grown-up children too. In all a very nice relaxing week.
I was struck by how nice the Cubans were. It's true what we all hear -- that Cubans are open, friendly and warm. They were by far the nicest resort workers we've ever met, and we go down south usually once a year, sometimes more.
The big party night was Dec. 24th. There was special food in the buffet - including a whole roast crackling pig, gigantic roast turkey, a big ham on the bone, and stuff like that. Being a non-meateater I was really tempted to have some turkey -- particularly the skin! Oi! But, I didn't. It was hard to get away from meat though. Sometimes vegetable things touched meat things on the grill, or through cooking utensils. There was plenty of non-meat things to eat, however, if you were vegan or even a strict vegetarian you might have less options.
It was mostly sunny everyday and I soaked up as much of the sun as I could. On average it was about 25 C. If it was sunny, I was sunbathing. I don't have much of a tan though due to wearing 30 SPF everyday. But I still loved that sun! I jumped around in the unheated pool a few times, and jumped in the ocean a few times. I took some long walks on the beach. I read two books (The Potato Factory and The Time Traveler's Wife) and 1 magazine (The Atlantic Monthly). I was basically drinking by 11am each morning, but I only got tipsy once or twice. I thought their mojitos and margaritas were terrible, but the tequila sunrises, pina coladas, beer and wine were fantastic. All the wine was from Spain. Yum.
We met some really, really nice people, exchanged emails, and basically had a great time.
It didn't feel like travel though. It just felt like we went somewhere else and sat there for a week. Having that kind of vacation puts me in the mood for more of a travel-adventure-type holiday where you're seeing stuff and tramping around and in fact NOT relaxing much. Kind of like when we were in England this past summer.
Anyway, it was wonderful to come home to our cats and dog and house even if we had to dig out the car and spread some salt around to de-ice our walks.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Who Or What Is Betty?
betty is our queen for the day
betty is immoral? whooda thunkit?
betty is photogenic
betty is in deep concentration
betty is interviewed
betty is bitter
betty is ill
betty is
betty is back
betty is a virus
betty is an enchanting anachronism; she is a pretty woman and a stellar example of dependability
betty is a bit of everything
betty is so very close to crashing in around her that it's the soap that sustains her will to live
betty is less like a trip through oz and more like a view of alice's wonderland
betty is so focused on the soap operas
betty is popular now
betty is where we all come together
betty is the first post
betty is like a coen brothers movie without the visual flair or the surreal moments
betty is in front of an outstanding backdrop of a lake and a city
betty is quirky
betty is president of the inner light foundation
betty is a proud patriot
betty is the coolest
betty is with you every step of the way through the buying or selling process
betty is best budgie? eat happy budgie
betty is hot
betty is traumatised by the event and in classic withdrawal mode
betty is not
betty is confined to a wheelchair and lives in mandurah
betty is dedicated to helping others in the pursuit of physical fitness/wellness
betty is something really special
betty is beautiful as a flapper
betty is a pretty conventional film
betty is a friend and has an excellent reputation
betty is also a current member of the board of directors
betty is even further gone
betty is rescued by a woman in the bar
betty is about integrating and aligning
betty is not a nurse
betty is finally earning her star
betty is baffled
betty is in constant demand as a radio and tv talk show guest and host
betty is singing the second verse
betty is pursued across the country by her husband's killers
betty is good for the soul
betty is my trainer
betty is such a sweet story
betty is truly bizarre
betty is a sly comedy
betty is still one model among many
betty is sympathetic but driven
betty is our queen for the day
betty is immoral? whooda thunkit?
betty is photogenic
betty is in deep concentration
betty is interviewed
betty is bitter
betty is ill
betty is
betty is back
betty is a virus
betty is an enchanting anachronism; she is a pretty woman and a stellar example of dependability
betty is a bit of everything
betty is so very close to crashing in around her that it's the soap that sustains her will to live
betty is less like a trip through oz and more like a view of alice's wonderland
betty is so focused on the soap operas
betty is popular now
betty is where we all come together
betty is the first post
betty is like a coen brothers movie without the visual flair or the surreal moments
betty is in front of an outstanding backdrop of a lake and a city
betty is quirky
betty is president of the inner light foundation
betty is a proud patriot
betty is the coolest
betty is with you every step of the way through the buying or selling process
betty is best budgie? eat happy budgie
betty is hot
betty is traumatised by the event and in classic withdrawal mode
betty is not
betty is confined to a wheelchair and lives in mandurah
betty is dedicated to helping others in the pursuit of physical fitness/wellness
betty is something really special
betty is beautiful as a flapper
betty is a pretty conventional film
betty is a friend and has an excellent reputation
betty is also a current member of the board of directors
betty is even further gone
betty is rescued by a woman in the bar
betty is about integrating and aligning
betty is not a nurse
betty is finally earning her star
betty is baffled
betty is in constant demand as a radio and tv talk show guest and host
betty is singing the second verse
betty is pursued across the country by her husband's killers
betty is good for the soul
betty is my trainer
betty is such a sweet story
betty is truly bizarre
betty is a sly comedy
betty is still one model among many
betty is sympathetic but driven
Monday, December 13, 2004
Feliz Navidad
We're going to Cuba in less than a week. We're spending next week, including Christmas and Boxing Day, on a beach in our bathing suits, downing Cristal beer, eating buffet food and sipping rum concoctions. I can't wait! It's just invaded my mind is all... because I can't stop thinking about all the things I have to do before we leave, and it's always stressful arranging for the pets to be looked after. Ghillie the sheltie is going to the breeder's house in Bowmanville. My sister-in-law is looking after the cats. It should be a no-brainer... yet I'm still stressing about everything.
I'm finalizing my brother's Christmas plans with him tonight. I'm going over the bus times with him and giving him his bus fare so that he can spend Christmas with our older sister in London. After tonight it's up to them to get it right. I hope it works out. Tonight I'll also pick up a tonne of drycleaning and clothing repairs and drop a bunch off. Finally, I'll give the dog a well-deserved bath since she's stinky.
Tomorrow I've got a work Christmas lunch thing and in the evening I'll be babysitting my nephews.
Wednesday I'm going into work about 7am. I'm having lunch with some former work buddies at our favourite pizza place. Then I'm leaving my office around 2:30pm and heading uptown for a panel interview for a new job... It'll take about 2 hours. Then after that I'll be getting the house ready for a cocktail party on Thursday night.
On Thursday I'm going into work again around 7am. I'm having lunch with some girlfriends. I'm taking Nick's bedside lamp in to be repaired (finally). I have to meet the lamp repair lady at her studio at 4pm. I also have to call the recruiter to tell her how the interview went. At 6pm our friends from the dog park will start arriving for appies and cocktails. Finally, my sister-in-law will come by towards the end of the party to go over everything to look after the cats.
On Friday I'm leading a remote meeting with 10 people from all over North America using a new shared browser product. Except that on Tuesday I will have needed to convince my bosses to buy a 3 month trial of the said product. I won't even be able to cut out early - particularly if the meeting goes well...! But Friday is payday and we also get our performance bonuses. I scored the best I've ever done after 4 years at this job. I didn't make a big difference in the dollar amount of the bonus though (I already worked it out! I'm such a cow!).
(I usually don't have so many social lunches but that always happens around Christmas, and it's lots of fun. And for some unknown reason my work has been mental-busy. Usually it crawls along but these days things are almost real-world busy. Past Decembers have been so slow that I've brought in personal work, novels, etc. to spend the time. Last week I went in every day around 7am just to get it all in order for this week.)
On Friday after work I imagine that I'll have a bath and a big glass of wine and maybe a haul off a blunt with Nick. Saturday morning I'm getting my hair done... That's about it. On Sunday morning early we'll bring the dog out to be boarded. We'll eat at breakfast at Denny's on the way back. Then we'll pack the bags because the limo comes at 2pm. Hooray!
We're going to Cuba in less than a week. We're spending next week, including Christmas and Boxing Day, on a beach in our bathing suits, downing Cristal beer, eating buffet food and sipping rum concoctions. I can't wait! It's just invaded my mind is all... because I can't stop thinking about all the things I have to do before we leave, and it's always stressful arranging for the pets to be looked after. Ghillie the sheltie is going to the breeder's house in Bowmanville. My sister-in-law is looking after the cats. It should be a no-brainer... yet I'm still stressing about everything.
I'm finalizing my brother's Christmas plans with him tonight. I'm going over the bus times with him and giving him his bus fare so that he can spend Christmas with our older sister in London. After tonight it's up to them to get it right. I hope it works out. Tonight I'll also pick up a tonne of drycleaning and clothing repairs and drop a bunch off. Finally, I'll give the dog a well-deserved bath since she's stinky.
Tomorrow I've got a work Christmas lunch thing and in the evening I'll be babysitting my nephews.
Wednesday I'm going into work about 7am. I'm having lunch with some former work buddies at our favourite pizza place. Then I'm leaving my office around 2:30pm and heading uptown for a panel interview for a new job... It'll take about 2 hours. Then after that I'll be getting the house ready for a cocktail party on Thursday night.
On Thursday I'm going into work again around 7am. I'm having lunch with some girlfriends. I'm taking Nick's bedside lamp in to be repaired (finally). I have to meet the lamp repair lady at her studio at 4pm. I also have to call the recruiter to tell her how the interview went. At 6pm our friends from the dog park will start arriving for appies and cocktails. Finally, my sister-in-law will come by towards the end of the party to go over everything to look after the cats.
On Friday I'm leading a remote meeting with 10 people from all over North America using a new shared browser product. Except that on Tuesday I will have needed to convince my bosses to buy a 3 month trial of the said product. I won't even be able to cut out early - particularly if the meeting goes well...! But Friday is payday and we also get our performance bonuses. I scored the best I've ever done after 4 years at this job. I didn't make a big difference in the dollar amount of the bonus though (I already worked it out! I'm such a cow!).
(I usually don't have so many social lunches but that always happens around Christmas, and it's lots of fun. And for some unknown reason my work has been mental-busy. Usually it crawls along but these days things are almost real-world busy. Past Decembers have been so slow that I've brought in personal work, novels, etc. to spend the time. Last week I went in every day around 7am just to get it all in order for this week.)
On Friday after work I imagine that I'll have a bath and a big glass of wine and maybe a haul off a blunt with Nick. Saturday morning I'm getting my hair done... That's about it. On Sunday morning early we'll bring the dog out to be boarded. We'll eat at breakfast at Denny's on the way back. Then we'll pack the bags because the limo comes at 2pm. Hooray!
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
When Whales Explode
This has been on the Internet since the Internet began, but it's still one of links that stands out as beyond weird. The Exploding Whale Video.
This has been on the Internet since the Internet began, but it's still one of links that stands out as beyond weird. The Exploding Whale Video.
Monday, December 06, 2004
We Built This Death Star On Rock And Roll
I really want to see The Star Wars Holiday Special. Wookie(e) "Life Day"? Cheesy musical numbers by Mark Hamil and Carrie Fisher? Bea Arthur in the cantina? Jefferson Starship? Sweet Jesus!
I really want to see The Star Wars Holiday Special. Wookie(e) "Life Day"? Cheesy musical numbers by Mark Hamil and Carrie Fisher? Bea Arthur in the cantina? Jefferson Starship? Sweet Jesus!
Sex And The Dream City
I had a dream over the weekend that I was the Sarah Jessica Parker character in a Sex And The City episode. Weird, because I've only ever seen one episode of this show (a friend who loves it once made me watch it really late at night but I was drunk and kept falling asleep), and maybe one other time in passing just for a few minutes.
So, I had the journo voice-over thing going in my dream, the out-of-control hair, the gigantic brooch on my ugly-ass blazer over a winky skirt, and of course some shoes I couldn't walk in... Then in the middle of the dream I became the Kim Cattrall character. How did I know this? I had short blond hair and felt older than the other girls in the dream.
I had a dream over the weekend that I was the Sarah Jessica Parker character in a Sex And The City episode. Weird, because I've only ever seen one episode of this show (a friend who loves it once made me watch it really late at night but I was drunk and kept falling asleep), and maybe one other time in passing just for a few minutes.
So, I had the journo voice-over thing going in my dream, the out-of-control hair, the gigantic brooch on my ugly-ass blazer over a winky skirt, and of course some shoes I couldn't walk in... Then in the middle of the dream I became the Kim Cattrall character. How did I know this? I had short blond hair and felt older than the other girls in the dream.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Hub Sez - Don't Be Hatin'
OK, I don't hate Ben Rayner. But I think he's a lazy writer and a whiney critic who's always trying to out-cool everybody, regardless of the subject. My husband is worried that Ben Rayner will read what's written here. He's worried that in some sort of parallel universe coincidence, if he ever met Ben Rayner they'd be friends because they're sympatico in their musical tastes, and my 4 or 5 sentences here about Ben Rayner threatens that fictional friendship. In a sense, I understand what Nick is saying. Because if I lived in L.A. and was an actor I'd be friends with Jen A. and Sandy B. They'd be my neighbours and I'd be their cool wacky neighbour girlfriend who's so fun and nice. But, those are fictional friendships that'll never happen. I realize that Nick has a much better chance becoming friends with Ben Rayner than I do with say Jack Black or Bill Murray or any other public-ish person whose creative work I admire. But really. If you can't knock fucking Ben Rayner in some nothing blog that maybe 2 to 3 people are even reading, then who can you knock?
OK, I don't hate Ben Rayner. But I think he's a lazy writer and a whiney critic who's always trying to out-cool everybody, regardless of the subject. My husband is worried that Ben Rayner will read what's written here. He's worried that in some sort of parallel universe coincidence, if he ever met Ben Rayner they'd be friends because they're sympatico in their musical tastes, and my 4 or 5 sentences here about Ben Rayner threatens that fictional friendship. In a sense, I understand what Nick is saying. Because if I lived in L.A. and was an actor I'd be friends with Jen A. and Sandy B. They'd be my neighbours and I'd be their cool wacky neighbour girlfriend who's so fun and nice. But, those are fictional friendships that'll never happen. I realize that Nick has a much better chance becoming friends with Ben Rayner than I do with say Jack Black or Bill Murray or any other public-ish person whose creative work I admire. But really. If you can't knock fucking Ben Rayner in some nothing blog that maybe 2 to 3 people are even reading, then who can you knock?
