Fill in the _____ Friday

It's that time of the week again! And of course, after a week of unseasonably dry weather, the rain has arrived. Wonderful. At least I finally remembered my winter coat today!

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be... a fireman ...when I grew up. I suppose now that would be what, a fireperson?? Yeah, I'm THAT old.
2. As an adult, my dream job would be... something creative - maybe a real blogger or learning how to design websites. NO WAIT - I'd be a photographer. That's definitely it.
3. When I was younger I wanted to be just like... I don't know. I don't remember really idolizing anyone. I know I've wanted to marry David Bowie since I was 7. That's about it, really.
4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was... a fairy. I was never that big into Halloween, though, so I'm pretty sure I only remember this because my mother has a framed photo of it in her hallway.
5. My favourite childhood toy was... mud. dirt. leaves. And sellotape. Don't ask me why, but I loved the stuff. I asked for it in my Christmas stocking and I put it on all my furniture, where it slowly melded into it and years later wouldn't come off. I was very annoyed with (and confused by) my younger self.
6. The time I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid was when I... got in a fight with another kid in my class in grade two. My father cried. I would have preferred any kind of punishment to that. The funny thing is, the kid I got in a fight with ended up being my best friend years later.
7. I get daily inspiration from... social media, blogs, music, books, pictures, street art, people around me.

That's it for another Friday! Hope you all have a spooky weekend! Thanks to Lauren at The Little Things We Do for the blanks, as always. Stop by and check her out!

Wicked Wednesday - The Foo Fighters

I have one word to describe the Foo Fighters' live show. And that word is: Awesome.

I've been to a lot of concerts over the years - everything from jazz to classical to pop to rock to punk to hip hop. I have to say that I have never seen a performance quite like the Foo Fighters. First of all, they do a loooooong set. Close to three hours straight. Which is great, because it gives them a chance to play around with solos, add in covers and switch to just Dave Grohl with an acoustic guitar for a few songs - without taking away from all the songs you really want to hear - and hear LOUD.

On top of that the band has a great dynamic, and Dave is funny. All of this leads to a great atmosphere. Plus, these guys give 'er. I mean, they are amazing. I have never seen so much physical exertion in a show - even a short one - and these guys just don't stop. I have a newfound respect for the physical demands of being a musician.

This video is from their show in Montreal, but it's nearly the same as their finish in Vancouver. Not quite like being there yourself, but hey, it'll have to do!



If you haven't seen them yet, go. And wear your comfy shoes.

Ten on Tuesday

It's been a busy week - I nearly forgot to write my 10!

1. I survived curling. Just get that out there up front because I know you were all frantically calling emergency rooms and biting your fingernails. It's okay, you can relax now.

2. I am going to the Foo Fighters tonight. I cannot wait.



3. I am constantly confused by conflicting nutrition advice. If I listened to everything various "experts" said I'd be changing my diet every day or just never eating anything for fear of doing it wrong. Also - who really manages to eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables in a day?? Not me, that's for sure. I'm a person, not a rabbit.

4. Yesterday the email went down in our office for most of the day. It was really hard to do my job without it. Hoping our server (which apparently is in Texas???) is back up and running. Also I have a new keyboard which is great, except my fingers are confused and keep mis-typing. It's one of those stealth keyboards that doesn't make a loud tapping noise like my old one. I'm pretty sure that everyone in the office now assumes I'm not working at all, since they can't hear me typing.

5. I watch a LOT of crime dramas. To me, this is just good common sense:

Equally important: Check every room (including closets) for intruders every night before going to bed.

6. As much as I appreciate Facebook's concern for my social life, the "Find Friends" thing really isn't useful because it throws up the same people every time - and hundreds of them. If there were a way to remove people from the list that you don't know or really don't want to get in touch with again so you don't have to keep looking at them in the list, it would be much more useful. Take notes, Facebook. I'm full of complaints helpful suggestions.

7. I know I already had a music video in this post, but I am feeling particularly tired and un-inventive today.  Plus I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for the new Florence + the Machine, so I'm really excited that the new album is out!



8. My lovely routine of writing stuff down all week so that by the time Tuesday rolls around all I have to hit publish fell spectacularly to pieces this week. I have now resumed my regular procrastination schedule.

9. It's unseasonably sunny in Vancouver, yet really, really cold all of a sudden. My routine hasn't yet adapted and I keep forgetting to grab my winter coat in the morning. By the time I get outside I'm usually running late so I can't go back in and get it, so I freeze my butt off all the way to work every morning.

10. I successfully made quiches last night. **Pats self on back**

That's it for another week - I will try to get back to jotting down notes for next week so it'll be a little more interesting!

The Perils of Curling

And no, I'm not talking about Norway's pants. 

So tonight I am doing something very brave. I am going curling. You may laugh, but I'm actually only half joking, for two reasons. 1) I'm pretty clumsy and last time I went ice skating I fell on my head. 2) I haven't been on a slippery surface since back surgery. So if I suddenly disappear from the world of blogging, it's because I've either finally found my calling and moved to Norway to join their clown posse, or fallen and broken something. Let's hope for neither.

Wish me luck!

Fill in the _____ Friday

You know how some weeks go really fast, but every single minute seems to last forever? I've had one of those weeks. Even though I was off sick for a couple of days (some sort of flu finally caught up with me), the last two days have been hectic. I'm stuck feeling like I'm in some sort of time paradox where on the one hand I have so much to do and so little time to do it in, yet at the same time the days just aren't ending. The rainy weather is not helping matters. Can't wait to sleep in tomorrow!

In the meantime, here are some blanks to perk up the day:

1. Nothing says fall like... well I could go with the obvious and say rain, but really that just says Vancouver. So I'm going to go with Uggs, toques and scarves.
2. My favourite autumnal tradition is... I am wracking my brains and I can't think of anything that really falls under that category. Unless you consider the return of Fall TV shows a tradition. In which case, that's definitely my favourite.
3. My favourite fall treat is... Peppermint mocha. But I guess that's a cop out since that goes for every season, and technically it's more of a winter thing. I've been craving ginger snaps lately, so let's go with that.
4. Fall makes me think of... wood smoke, crisp air, layers of clothing, windy nights and cosy homes.
5. Autumn free form word association, go! Toque, steamy hot chocolate, cinnamon, leaves, quilt, reading, cosy, sleep in, rosy cheeks, brisk walks.
6. My go-to outfit in the fall is... jeans, Uggs, layers of shirts and sweaters, warm scarf and jacket. 
7. My favourite fall holiday is... Halloween, if I had to pick one. Thanksgiving isn't really a big deal in my family. Also it makes me feel a little icky given the whole history surrounding it. At least Halloween has candy!

Thanks to Lauren at The Little Things We Do for the blanks! Head on over to join the fun and link up!

Ten on Tuesday

I might be getting the hang of this! The trick is to write things down as I think of them. Which, for someone who procrastinates as much as I do, is a much bigger deal than it sounds. You're welcome.

1. I know this seems to totally contradict #6 on last week's Ten on Tuesday post, but I'm not digging this early appearance of Christmas shit in the stores. It's not even Halloween yet, people! One holiday at a time! I know we all love Christmas, but starting it too soon ruins it by the time it actually arrives. It's a fine balance. I suggest waiting until all the Halloween candy is gone.

2. So apparently I used to throw things when woken up in the morning. I've outgrown that phase, but I still want to hit whoever thought that starting the work day so early that I'd have to get up before the sun was a good idea. After 30 years, I'm pretty sure this isn't a phase and I'm just not a morning person.

3. I don't care how much it grosses you out, I will not stop cracking my knuckles.

4. (Note: If you're still having nightmares about #9 from last week's Ten on Tuesday, you might want to skip this one.) Now the bathroom with the creepy hatch in the ceiling for zombie attacks has a broken fluorescent light that flickers and never really comes on properly. As if it weren't already a death trap.

5.

Visit The Bloggess (a.k.a. The Funniest Woman in Existence) to read more!

6.  Warning: the first part where the dog gets hit is really upsetting (okay, I admit it, I teared up a bit. I'm a softy and I can't handle animals getting hurt - I wouldn't even read Charlotte's Web.), but the next part is amazing! If it helps, apparently the dog lived.

 

7. Last time I went into the pharmacy to get a prescription refill the pharmacist helpfully reminded me that I can call in ahead of time so I don't have to wait. It's like they don't even understand that waiting to get my prescriptions filled is the only time I can read trashy magazines without being judged. By me.

8. I know life is all about teaching us lessons - the main one being that as soon as you get comfortable, something goes horribly wrong. I'm not exactly an optimist, so most of the time I'm okay with this. But I wish that for awhile nothing would go wrong, that I could just relax and live for awhile. Maybe even have a vacation. Is that really so much to ask?

9. I've just discovered a marvelous little show (if you like violence and dead people) called The Protector. It's not in my top 5 or anything, but it has some good lines and the episode stories aren't bad, either. My favourite bit so far:

Neighbour: You're a police detective, right?
Det. Shepherd: Yes, something wrong?
Neighbour: Well yes, there have been several thefts in the neighbourhood, and some of us on the block thought you might be able to help.
Det. Shepherd: What's been stolen?
Neighbour: Gnomes.
Det. Shepherd: Gnomes.
Neighbour: At least, mine was a gnome. But we're missing all kinds of lawn ornaments. Flamingos, geese, St. Francis of Assisi, Venus on a half shell...
Det. Shepherd: I'm gonna be really honest with you. Gnomes are a little outside my jurisdiction. Now if you find a severed head, you give me a call. I've had a lot of success with severed heads. Nice to meet you!
Neighbour: ...

(In case you're worried, it turns out that Det. Shepherd's kid had been hiding the lawn ornaments in their shed. When she asked him why they were "hiding" in their shed, he said, "Because you're here." Aw.)

10. I've decided to sell some stuff on EBay - you know, makeup I bought and never used or was given, books I have duplicates of, DVDs I don't watch anymore, purses that just aren't my style... that sort of thing. So far it's really confusing and intimidating, and I've only listed three things. Wondering if it's really worth the effort. *Sigh.*

That's it for another week! And sorry for the late posting, I didn't finish it ahead of time as usual since I have been feeling really ill for about the last 24 hours. Starting to feel better though, so hopefully will be back to my normal shenanigans tomorrow. Have a great week, Ten on Tuesday-ers! And don't forget to read Lin's post on her blog, Linny's Vault. 

Mopey Monday - Marilyn Manson Interviewed by Michael Moore (couldn't resist the tongue-twister)

In the interest of looking on the bright side, I will say one good thing about today: it's not raining. It's even looking suspiciously like it might get sunny out there. Though of course I didn't know this when I got up this morning, since it was still dark outside. Do you know how hard it is to figure out what the weather is going to do before the sun comes up? I do.

It doesn't help that I stayed up way too late on Saturday night and as a result didn't get to sleep until way too late last night either. 

 I will always identify with the tired kid in this cartoon, no matter how old I get.

So when I was perusing YouTube this weekend, I somehow ended up watching this old interview from the documentary Bowling for Columbine, in which Michael Moore explored the context surrounding the Columbine shootings. At the time, a lot of blame was heaped on Marilyn Manson. I'm not totally clear on why - it seems that the kids involved in the shootings wore clothes you might see in Manson's closet, but weren't actually fans of his music. (????) At any rate, because of all the public criticism heaped on Manson at the time, Moore interviewed him for the film.




You can say what you want about Marilyn Manson's appearance, music or general weirdness, but the guy eternally got my respect after I watched this interview. Not only does he discuss a tragic circumstance with eloquence and sensitivity, but he has obviously put more thought into it than many of those who accused him of being responsible. It's easy to respond to a tragic event by making it about ourselves. The effect it had on us, why we think it happened, who we place blame on, how it's made us afraid to go to school or work in the morning. But somewhere in the middle of all this we lose sight of the actual people who were involved in it. This doesn't mean we don't care, it just means that we're making sense of it through the lens of our own experience. It takes a special kind of person, in my opinion, to take a step back and re-focus on what the kids themselves were going through.

Though it isn't exactly a cheerful antidote to a mopey Monday, I find it to be an inspiring and eye-opening lesson that hopefully will make people stop and consider the assumptions they've made about people's intelligence, personality or perspective based on faulty first impressions. Sometimes we all need a little reminder.