the world as seen by me these last few... months.

Little sister had a baby. she's cute. Bout a month old now.
I'm still living in my apartment. 'm torn about it. somethings jsut.. are a great big "ew" about it.. but I have yet to see this space/location/pricing combo anywhere else. Nor am I anywhere close on have the money to move outta here.

Hmm.. Not in as much of a typing mood as I thought. Might be joining the Fort York Marching band, just to get more music into my life, and to have more musician friends.

....  currently reading celestine vision ( I think) .
I somehow went from book a week, to half a book every two months, two month pause, other half of book. the hell?? Ohw well. I think it's finally time I go out and buy a new dvd player. I can't get this f*#@ one to work, and I went to see Dirty Dancing today,(excellent, go see it!!) and picked up the 20th anniversary movie, and am not content to watch it on the 'puter.

I can not believe its' Nov. 2007 already. I guess I blinked.. I thought a moment ago it was Nov. 2006. Time.. what the hell??

They are trying to recruit for international/non us people for the 4th round. Deadline however is tommorow!!!
Read more for all the info. Be prepared to spend $US 15 on snacks, and depending on where you are partnered with, $US 30 on shipping. take a look at the Snacksters community for pics and fun. There is a list on there so far of all the countries where people have signed up. I'll be doing it again soon, not this round, but the next.

From the LJ community of Snacksters, where you trade snacks with someone else in from somewhere else. 

 I don't know why.. but I have a facination with Scotland. True, I am quite fond of fiddles and kilts, and men in them, and while I realize that they are rumored to be as abundant there as are polar bears in Toronto, still. Anywho! Many thanks to Liz! Who sent me TWO! boxes, as the first wasn't big enough to hold it all! She took a lot of trouble to get me some distincktly Scottish things too, like oat cakes, (already half devoured)! For the most part I  havn't tried these yet, I am tryign to pace myself. Since I'd been talking about the exchange a lot with my coworkers, I brought it in to work to share the excitement with them.


They have arrived!!!!




Can I wait 1 half hour more before opening???  Nope!



The Bounty!



The attack!


That circley thing.. . is deceiving ly addictibve.. I'm SO happy ther are like, 12 of them!!! That and the Coconut thingys.. they got a bit squished.. but that won't stop me from devourring !! YUm!

These oatcakes are actually opened at the back and already half gone in this picture. Oh, and as I wright this, the Galaxy has maybe two piece left in it. Now THATS chocolate!


The Yummies!!


The magnet is so cool! Can't decide if I want it at work or home.. I'd see it more at work.. but.. My fridge would like it too! Also a pin too!
Those marshmellow ball things in the silver package..... ya.. I need more of those. Who do I write for Importing??? 

 

The montsters are cute. And the Rainbow ones are really good. My co worker commented that their flavourings are 1200 times better than ours.


THANKS LIZ!!!!!!!
LJ

Ten things you likely know about me:
1. I spent most of my life single, with siblings who spent most of there time in relationships. That's overall wasn't so much fun. Then I met this guy. And then we got engaged. And then he died. And now I hate the world, and I'm just waiting around killing time waiting for my turn.

2. I've been learning fiddle for 3 or 4 years now. I'd like to say I'm a lot better than I am. But I think I have *finally* found the right teacher for me. I expect improvement.

3. I would have like to have worked in science/medicine/research, but opted for arts instead as math made me cry.

4. I can be shy until I feel I know someone really well.

5. I speak French, though not as well as I'd like. I'd love to move to Quebec, or the French maritimes, and find someone there to make a home with.

6. I like men in kilts. Or those who come with a double base. Though really, I'm not ready for any more relationships, I still feel like I'd be betraying Jason.

7. My favorite pass times are playing fiddle, or sitting down with freinds for a day or evening of games. This happens far too infrequently. Once summer activities have truly wound down, I would like to have a bi monthly games evening at my place (holds 6/8).

8. I worked in broadcasting for a year and a half before I was let go/fired, and I believe illegally. But I was happy to get out of Etobicoke. I spent 2 years doing temp work where I could, just getting by. I am now working for Henry's camera, listing used equipment. I think my job would be much cooler if It were computer parts, as I wish I was more tech savy.

9. I am wanting to work for a university/college however I can, as they have great benefits, atmosphere ( lectures/talks/clubs/ect)and you get free tuition, of which I would most definitely take advantage of.

10. I do have some social anxiety, depends on the night. I hate phones, and avoid them most of the time. I have been without a working phone now for 3 months, and aside from an occasional annoyance, am perfectly happy with this.


2. Five things you may not know about me:
1. There's actually a positive person buried somewhere inside me, past the cynical, sarcastic and defeatist bits. I swear there's one there. At least there used to be.

2. I want to become a luthier and build violins, regardless of money and time and equipment and knowledge obstacles that I currently face. I figure this will be a lifetime kinda project.

3. I sometimes wish I could exterminate the human race. But then I just hope that maybe we're not really real anyways, and all the suffering we're causing to non-humans and this planet isn't real either.

4. I still do not have my permanent liscence. It used to be because I was terrified of becoming paralyzed in a wreck, now it's mainly because I do not have many opportunities to practicing,and $100 for a test I might fail seems pretty steep. Though I do want my license as I am missing out every year on all the far away fiddle competitions and Highland Games!

5. I am convinced of an after life/otherside/what have you. All of "this" is just some silly temporary annoyance, the real "life" came before, and comes next. I will be happy to have this middling place over and done with. Sometimes I feel like I can feel it, or sense it, if I could just rip the fabric of this fake world aside as done in comics and get to it. This "life" seems a big sham, and who know's what the purpose of it is! It drives me crazy! I want to wake up. I'm really tired of it all. I "tap" my "foot" impatiently. I've been slowly reading up on various subject approaches to the 'afterlife" including lucid dreaming and what not.

One good thing about your younger sister having a baby shower, is that your mom goes out and spend $50 on gourmet cheeses, and there are lots of leftovers. :p

Yes, Paiges shower was good too. She cleaned up. And that was only His side of the family...

Went to FOOl this weekend. I'd booked it with Medb a while back. At first I didn't think I wanted to go, as there seems to be a million other things I should be doing, helping my mom pack for one, seeing freinds for another, anyway, I'm glad I went. It was held at a scout camp in Acton, the site was beautiful, and a lot of work was put into the look of the place. We arrived late at night, unpacked, got to stay in a cabin which was so nice, then headed next door to the mess hall/tarvern. It was unbelievable in there.. all light by candles and lanterns, everything being served in steins and wooden/pottery bowls, dark but friendly, lots of noise, and some well known SCA musicians playing for the crowd. I think my fav thing from the tavern menues was simply "a hunk of cheese and a piece of goode breade" No spelling mistakes there.

to be continued

First off, thanks for the responses to the previous post. I'd give up fiddling to have Jason back. But oh well.

As for the sillyness....

So of course.. I realized this was possible.. but you konw how you just don't realize something is availible untill it's under your nose, and then it's like.. well of course! Duh!

So. I had one of those moments. It involved bying fresh bagged, not frozen, shelled peas. I'm rather fond of fresh peas, and for the most part my main source was freshly picked from my grandpas garden, or bought in the shell from a grocery store. Either way, I dont' think I've ever had fresh peas out of shell before. So I was a little surprised to find bags of them, already shelled, more quantity for much less work and less leftover mess. I think I like it. I've been eating peas all day.

I wonder how long I'll be able to buy them fresh like that..

(Man.. I'm such a city girl.. I wish I'd grown up on a farm..)

Anyone know anyone that would want to catch a free Rankins family concert? Wednesday?

Posted this to the ETH review board.. kinda enjoyed that so I'm putting it here too.. besides.. I think it doens't hurt to remind myself I can be articulate and what not when I choose to be.. not just basic badly formed and non-edited lj entries... ... Janet.. sorry.. I'd posted about the concert to facebook and on the TO lj list.. didint' think to put it here too..

Alo all.
How was the T Dot Show? Well..
I managed to make it (not even my co-workers surprise bday party could keep me away) to the Toronto show this past Thrusday. I've been waiting for this show, counting down the days, for months. You know how when you want to praise something.. but your mouth and tongue clutter up, bang heads and trip on themselves? Never mind that you've forgotten how to speak and can't find sufficient words to express complete and thorough encompassing kick ass awesomeness? ya well.. I just end up making incoherent noises while a massive grin takes up residence on my face. How good was the show? I can now die happy, that's how good.

I've been to approximately 5 other shows at Hugh's room. McIsaac, Mad Violet and some other people. I can tell you... Haggis is the first band ever (that I've seen) able to get the small yet overcramped crowd off their butts in search of vertical movement. Hugh’s room layout is not made for dancing, but I think 40 people at least (venue is small) managed to cram themselves into the four foot by about 8 foot space in front of the stage, and proceeded to thoroughly relish this 3-years rare opportunity to mosh to the sounds and delights of live Haggis.

I marvel at the idea of a band being able to keep things fresh when they do nearly the same songs show in and show out…. but all you see up there on stage is crazy ecstatic fun... and oh what fun! I'm trying to think of a few highlights, but there are simply too many. Donald/Trousers... why can't the stage version be put on the CD? Even if the rockin’ extra 15 minutes of improv/jam takes up near half the cd... well that’s fine, it just means they'd have to release two cd’s and we'd all have more Haggis and I don’t see anything wrong with that!

I think that's the best bit about seeing these guys live…. you listen to the disks, and yes they are great... but then you get to see ‘em live, and you’re done for. To see ‘em going all out and with antics and concert-only tunes on stage, with all the extra sillyness, extended jamfest versions, little tidbits that would be illegal to record… the crowd just soaks it up and begs for more. How can a disk ever compare? It can’t. Guys.. please don’t be so shy next time. 3 years.. seriously.. . what’s up with that???

Some band once recorded every venue they played in a stretch.. or some such. Then made every night available as a straight mp3, no editing, no mixing, just pure rehashed concert, and sold it MP3 form straight from their website. Hey guys?? HINT HINT! Just wait till I win the lottery, then I’d be able to do the work pro bono, and live happily ever after.

My own personal highlight? It wasnt’ meant to become a collection.. but I have two fiddles that seem to collect signatures. The acoustic being at home, I presented my silver electric to Brian and begged his scratchings, done on an inside rib where the memorial will not fade. Thanks Brian! And thank you to all the guys, for doing what you do, and for giving us all what I like to call some of the best ear-sex out there.

How was the show? Like I said. I can die happy, I’ve seen ETH live.

OMG.. So.. Enter the Haggis show was last night. It was fabulous!! Brian Buchanan can rival Ashely McIsaac... I think I'm in love *snicker. I've seen about 5 shows at Hughs room, this was the first where I've seen the audience get up to dance, and take over the maybe 4 feet of room in front of the stage. Maybe I can die happy now..

I'm not quite sure how it happend.. but I guess am definitly a collector of fiddler-dignatures-on-my-violin. Maybe it started with Ashley.. NE way. So The one I normally gather sigs on hasn't been around these past few months, so.. the 'lectric came out. I'm used to it, I forget how odd it looks, and it's amusing to see reaction to it. I was able to get Brian to sign it, on the inside where it won't rub off. I asked him a bout a lesson when he's around for a bit, he said he's Out in waterloo or something now, and without missing a beat.. I said I'd go to waterloo for a lesson from you.. haha. so he said okay when they have a break from touring, I just gotta get a hold of him.

Not really sure what I'm suppose to be able to pick up from God himself.. but meh. Whatever. the one good thing about summer winding down is that I think I"ll be able to focus more on my learning/playing. I think I might take a music oriented course at cont. ed in October, maybe a singing one. Hmm... I'll be posting a pic of the signed vio before too much longer...

Some Pennsic Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylies/sets/72157601381351364/

I'll likely make a longer entry later, but for now, here's some pics mostly of George and Gunny (Nancy) from Pennsic.

FYI, My cell phone is apparently, completely, dead. It will not turn on. And I have no net at home. I'm not sure what I'm doing about this, I refuse to pay $40 a month just for net, or $40 a month on phone bills. I think it is absolutely ridiculous. NEway.

K.. so this concept of time.... Ya I'm not so sure I believe in it. Cause.. when I think of it... I don't seem to have any. And I'm pretty sure I've talked with many people, friends and otherwise, that have said the same thing. I know my mother has no time, and is always wanting some. Many people seem to have lost theirs, don't know where it's gone.. or can't seem to find it. So overall.. it seems like no one anywhere ever has any time. If no one seems to have any, and everyone seems to be looking for it (apparently those trying to make it find it a huge struggle and not so successful), maybe time isn't really there to be had in the first place. Maybe it doesn't exist at all. Can anyone on here really prove that they have any time?

As anyone with what I refer to as "real size" thighs knows, pants have the infuriating habit of wearing out/ripping in said area. Now that I think of it.. this is a pet peeve of mine... spending $30+ on pants/jeans, to have the unusable usually within 6 months time.. especially if they are a favorite. I'm sure you can tell where this is going. Jeans very dear to my heart started to develop that nasty tell-tale rip about 1 month ago. I thought I could get away with wearing them today, but by the time I finished riding to work, I could tell the effort of cycling was more than the material could bear, it had spread, enough that when asking a co-worker if it were visible.. to my chagrin the answer was yes, and I wasn't as decent as I would prefer to be at work. (Nothing horrible, but still.) This is where the story turns to me shamelessly celebrating my own ingenuity (my self thought best quality). Me being me... I have needles at work and in my bag. No not that kind! Sewing needles. But not thread. Confound it all. But.. hey... .. dental floss.. does have the same essential properties as thread I would argue... 10 minutes in the restroom.. and Voila! No more thigh-expose, and I can comfortably finish the work day, and go on to fiddle class afterwards.

*grins*.
That is my (mini) tale. And Jasons Bday in on Sunday, and Pennsic departure is T- um.... 10 days or so.

Something like a light bulb just went off in my head. I work posting stuff on ebay. I can post.. where people will see it. I SO want to slip Potter references into my listings...

"Pentax AF 280 TTL Flash... Test fires great.. perfect for Muggles everywhere!"

Or.. No Luminosa spell needed!!

....
So hard to resist....

In other news... you know the happy dance that was my Tuesday post?? ya well.. wendeday on the way home My rear bike tire poped halfway home, and then last night I got home at 10pm to find out that my deadbolt with the "safety" feature locked me out of my own apartment. 1 hour, 1 locksmith, and $155 later....... I went to bed with heary "screw you too world."

I don't appreaciate the universes sense of humour. 1 cube people set is cool to have, but that was a bit of an overdose on reverse/equalizsing Karma. Just my opinion. And I havnt' even got to the bike tire yet.

Smarg.

Yester day was really neat. I went to a Salvation Army looking for cheap fabric. I found some light white cotton that may be interesting, a light green wool blanket for a cloak, a coffe mug with the Scottish flag on it, a large silver metal bowl I'll soon be needing for baking (apparently they can be quite expensive to buy), and .. best of all.. a Cubes figure set like on Thinkgeek.com. ..I still can't beleive I found it! Complete in box, not even opened, the "IT Guy" the Linux guy with the goatee. Comes with server, pc, LCD screen, macbook, keyboard, desk, chair, and 3 walls. So it's all set up at home. The chair it came with is a Star Treck captains chair. As seen here..


http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/722a/images/1738/

Highly amusing. IF you're me I guess. Also, I mentioned I've been missing Jason, and before, I mentioend that occasionally I get signs from him, or well, what I choose to interpret as signs... on his Myspace he has some Jewel song playing. "Always on my mind" I think. Well yesterday I was looking at some cards in S.A, and had to move some cassette tapes around. There was a tape of Jewels, a singles with two songs on it, and one of the two songs title was something like "I'm always with you" or something. Damn well better be. Then I went home and did a lot of arranging and cleaning. Cloaths got hung up for the first time in half a month. It's starting to feel like a real apartment. Not done yet though... No net, no phone, no tv..... I kinda like it. Just art projects and books.

Oh, and today on the way to work, there was someone who'd put a rear bike rack and front bike basket in a box on their lawn.. i.e "take me". Score! that saved me $30 at least right there.

I think I should buy a lottary tickect today.

Blah blah I miss Jason blah blah Gonna kick his ass blah blah Trying to sew garb blah blah it's lost it's appeal....

Blah.

There are two books that.. well.. I think are pretty damn cool. I find them insightfull and full of goodness and well meaning. I say... everyone go out and read 'em. :) (Non fiction - thinking and open mindedness required)

1. The Heart of Love - John. F. Demartini
2. The 5 love languages - ?

Life seems mundane. I guess that's what makes it life. Carpet got changed in the apartment.... to red. Of all the colours... at least it's more like a dark crimson. It is new, but I think it's been stored somewhere for a very long time. I figure it must be leftover stock form the 90s or 80s even. It smells.. very chemically. And atm, all my stuff, clothes mainly, I'd washed *everything* at the laundry mat before moving it in, are just piled on the floor. I picked up a shirt yesterday, and the smell seems to be transferring. *sigh*. More laundry trips for me.

I have to be really rude sometime soon to one of the guys that hangs around my apartment. I made the mistake of trying to be friendly, and not-toronto-dont-speak-look-smile-at-anyone... I actually even gave my phone number cuase he'd asked and I didn't have a good.. non socially awkward "sorry no you cant have that info" line ready, nor was I prepared to lie. .. Yes.. I'm an idiot. So anyway, I got a voice mail from him wanting to hang out, and said blah blah blah okya sweetie? so hopefully I'll see you soon we can hang" or some crud like that.

So Now I have to get all blunt/rude on his butt with a "look .. i do NOT entertain men in my aparment.. ". I guess I woudln't be so overreacting, but my area does have a reputation. I dunno. anyway.

And life trudges on.

Or at least I feel that way. And I can't think of why.. I've been too broke to do anything this week, I've done nothing but go home after work, and have been watching Heroes and Dr. Who.
My stomach's displeasure has been making itself know, increasingly so as the day rolls on. I"m glad I have no plans for this weekend afterall... I don't think they would have been much enjoyed, and this way, I won't be passing on the bug.

I want my bed.

ha. No.. I don't know what that means. I felt like posting, but I don't feel like I have anything to post about really. Christiaan and Janet helped me paint my apartment last week, (thanks guys!) and I got a layer of paint on the bedroom on Sunday.. um..

Nothing new really. Same old.. almost time to move.. was supposed to GO to Janets cottage this week.. but well.. I have $598 in the bank right now.. and my rent check coming out on Monday is for $660.. I'll be using my credit card to make up that extra bit, or borrowing from mom .. or both. I feel really low about that, but at least my excuse is good.. current rent and first and last months nearly all at once is a bit hard... Still. So I'll be spending the weekend getting ready/sewing for Pensic/Jason's funeral. (btw.. I got another email from his mom. Charlotte, that made me giddy! I haven't even met her but she calls me sweety and Randy signs "love dad".. makes me really happy.. it's like I was just about their daughter-in-law, so they are treating me as one anyway! How cool is that? They are awesome! They'll be at Pennsic, I can't wait to spend the week with them!) I only really like one of my dresses, another one is almost done, and I would like to get another 3-4 outfits done, and 4 under-dresses.. all in the next month.. with these three days.. it might actually happen. Though this month is a 3 paycheck month.. maybe I could get a $100 sewing machine from Walmart.. and not be restricted to just weekend sewing.

Anyway. muble.. ramble...