Last night was fun, lots of it. I got to see mom's bff Peggy & some of her family, as they were visiting from Australia. I also had a realization about my childhood that may explain some things about my post-childhood (i.e., NOW): since I mostly talked with adults, I thought I was more adult-like than child-like. Now, I realize that the adulty speak to me is a far cry from adulty speak between adults. Damn. I got stuck with the restrainty adulty talk.
The show was pretty awesome - I got to see Sarah, meet her friends and make a bad pun within 1 minute of an introduction to a geophysicist (school of hard rocks HAHAHA). Plus/minus were really good and really interesting to listen to - one part sappy emo lyrics, one part crazy technical rhythms, and one part super cool. I picked up the cd and it's been in my head all day. We didn't get home until close to 2am, but the tiredness today is more than worth it.
Tonight I'm going to sleep.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
+/-
I'm getting excited about going to concerts again, mostly do to the realization that I'm really going to regret squandering my time in Toronto. This doesn't mean that I've decided to move away any time soon, I've just decided to stop taking the music scene for granted. I could probably see a good show 3 times per week if I wanted to. Things like money, laziness, feeling older than/disconnected from the music scene are holding me back, for no good reason. Shows are cheap, I'm not by nature lazy, and I'm not old - I just have an insecure brain that debates things too much.
While tonight's already pretty busy (I'm going to be seeing an old family friend who's here briefly from Australia), I'm going to try my very very hardest to get to one of my favourite places (Sneaky Dee's) for an amazing free show, +/-. I'm also planning to hit up some more in the next few weeks - passionate-about-music Jen is being reborn. Hooray!
While tonight's already pretty busy (I'm going to be seeing an old family friend who's here briefly from Australia), I'm going to try my very very hardest to get to one of my favourite places (Sneaky Dee's) for an amazing free show, +/-. I'm also planning to hit up some more in the next few weeks - passionate-about-music Jen is being reborn. Hooray!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
One more thing.
I got distracted by the Mexico post, but I really want to thank everyone. I basically had the best birthday ever, between Mexico, Seema's phone call all the way from Saudi frickin' Arabia, and the fantastic iPod from my fantastic friends and family. So, thank you.
Also, in the Mexico post, I forgot to mention a really cool something: Dad and I had lunch with Peter Elkas' parents! P.Elkas being the singer/songwriter who used to front the Local Rabbits (Sally A-AANNN!) and whose ep Mark and I listened to together on the night we met! It was an utterly cool, completely random moment, and it's left me craving a listen to Sally Ann...
Also, in the Mexico post, I forgot to mention a really cool something: Dad and I had lunch with Peter Elkas' parents! P.Elkas being the singer/songwriter who used to front the Local Rabbits (Sally A-AANNN!) and whose ep Mark and I listened to together on the night we met! It was an utterly cool, completely random moment, and it's left me craving a listen to Sally Ann...
Monday, November 27, 2006
OK STOP COMPLAINING NOW
SHARON. Don't you have better stuff to do than read my blog anyways?
Mexico: Woowoo! Despite an ominous start (loss of sunny part of day 1 thanks to 5.5 hour delay at Pearson resulting from TOILET MALFUNCTION on plane), the trip was fantastic, with lots of guacamole and culture (well, as much as was possible from the day trips) consumed. Here is us at Pearson. Notice that its light outside - it's not supposed to be.
Dad and I were graced with wonderful weather (every day was sunny, nights were cool but clear) and lucked out with the resort. I'd recommend it highly. Pretty:
Since I'm not a huge fan of doing nothing for an entire week, we decided on three day trips to balance out three lazy beach days (and to hopefully counterbalance the excessive quantities of food available to us). Our first full day started with a breakfast buffet in a beautiful restaurant near the beach, where I satisfied the chorizo sausage craving that I've had since Cuba. The restaurant:
We soon realized that as good as this little place was, it had the downside of not having a serve-yourself station for 'champagne' and orange juice like the larger buffet. Did I mention that the resort was excessive? We then went to the obligatory 'meet your rep' meeting, where we met our rep and realized that she was a complete puddinghead, followed by a realization that she'd not be of much use. We did, however learn about the cheap taxis we'd find on the highway as opposed to the expensive ones to be found at the lobby. The rest of the day was spent wandering around on foot, and later on bikes. We had a late dinner at one of the a la carte restaurants (our first of four), and a fairly early night.
Saturday was our first excursion. We took the highway taxi into a town called Playa del Carmen, 30 minutes or so from the resort. It's a touristy beach town, with lots of little souvenir shops and many people trying to tempt you into buying timeshare property. Here's us after the animal guy stopped to ask us if we were from Canada:
It didn't take long to figure out that they're not actually interested in finding out where you're from, or if you're having a good time, but it's hard to just ignore them and keep walking. I think I would go insane living in a place as hectic as that, and I don't know if I would just develop a shell against the constant barrage of vendor appeals or if I'd become a complete shut-in. We did, however, manage to have a nice day once we found a spot on the beach.
Sunday was a resort day, full of snorkelling and reading and sipping pina coladas (beer for dad) on the beach. It was really cool to have actual reefs available to explore, and I managed to see a lot of fish. Dinner was at the seafood restaurant, where dad ate something called a hogsnapper.
On Monday, we went to Xel-Ha, a place that pretty much anyone who'd ever been to Mexico recommended to us. Paula especially recommended it, surprising because she is absolutely terrified by fish and by bridges, and there were many of each. Its name translates to 'place where the waters are born,' and is a lagoon that is fed both by the Caribbean sea and by three underground rivers emerging into it. It's become famous as a large, natural aquarium, where you can snorkel around and apparently see up to 100 species of fish. We meant to only spend a couple of hours there, and ended up spending the entire day snorkeling, walking around, and swimming in the (not-so) lazy river. It was absolutely beautiful.
Fish!
Hammock!
Courage!
Caves!
Tuesday was the Big Trip, to the Mayan ruins of Coba. On this trip, we learned that Cancun, in Mayan, means snake nest, that to 'wish' is to go to the bathroom, and malokine (sp?) means hello. We also explored some of the oldest ruins in the Yucatan, dating back to the first century. It was completely spectacular to see the immensity of the pyramids and structures, like the start of a road built perfectly level for 60 miles to a trading centre at a city near the later site of Chichen Itza. Here is the start of the road:
The ball courts were really interesting - they were ritual arenas where, in pre-colombian times relevant to Coba, political matters were settled peacefully by teams representing different cities (and later, not so peacefully).
From the top of the Nohoch Mul pyramid (tallest in the Yucatan peninsula), another large earth mound is visible, and our guide informed us that this is the site of another pyramid that could be even taller than the one that has been restored. To date, I think only 5% of the buildings have been unearthed from the jungle.
From the bottom:
At the top:
Inside the structure at the top (where the gods make the descent into heaven):
Looking down:
After the ruins, we went to a Mayan co-op, where each family sells their art to bring money into their village. We had lunch there, and I picked up a couple little things to bring home. Miriam, our tour guide, let me wear her beetles. They're real, but sacred, and have been adorned with gold and jewels - apparently their 'jackets' don't affect their lifespan.
Next we went to a Mayan village where we got to hang out with the little kids and give them school supplies. Here's a Mayan home, and garden (the most beautiful Mayan garden is the one which produces the most food):
A close up of the tree on the left - a monkey swinging!
A Mayan girl, with her pet badger:
After the village, we stopped at a cenote. Cenotes are caves/sinkholes, and are really common since the entire Yucatan peninsula is over underground river systems. This one was warm, and the water was clear, deep and beautiful. I jumped off an insanely high platform, since I knew it would make Mark proud. I ended up with the biggest wedgie ever. Here's my splash, unfortunately there are no photos of the jump itself:
Here's us with Angie, a really fun girl from Pennsylvania who was convinced to come swimming. This was after we gave up on our race to the far side of the cave:
The last day was the official 'relax' day, and we did nothing but lie on the beach, read, eat, and drink tropical drinks. Here's the sunrise:
The sunset:
And the coffee (so cool!):
Coming home:
It was a wonderful trip, one that I'll remember for the rest of my life, and hopefully I'll be able to visit again someday.
Coming home was really nice, as I missed Mark greatly. I have to send out a huge thank you to Mark and to my friends and family for the amazing birthday present. You guys are awesome and I will be appreciating you every single day (not that I wouldn't anyways). Hearts and hugs all around.
Mexico: Woowoo! Despite an ominous start (loss of sunny part of day 1 thanks to 5.5 hour delay at Pearson resulting from TOILET MALFUNCTION on plane), the trip was fantastic, with lots of guacamole and culture (well, as much as was possible from the day trips) consumed. Here is us at Pearson. Notice that its light outside - it's not supposed to be.
Dad and I were graced with wonderful weather (every day was sunny, nights were cool but clear) and lucked out with the resort. I'd recommend it highly. Pretty:
Since I'm not a huge fan of doing nothing for an entire week, we decided on three day trips to balance out three lazy beach days (and to hopefully counterbalance the excessive quantities of food available to us). Our first full day started with a breakfast buffet in a beautiful restaurant near the beach, where I satisfied the chorizo sausage craving that I've had since Cuba. The restaurant:
We soon realized that as good as this little place was, it had the downside of not having a serve-yourself station for 'champagne' and orange juice like the larger buffet. Did I mention that the resort was excessive? We then went to the obligatory 'meet your rep' meeting, where we met our rep and realized that she was a complete puddinghead, followed by a realization that she'd not be of much use. We did, however learn about the cheap taxis we'd find on the highway as opposed to the expensive ones to be found at the lobby. The rest of the day was spent wandering around on foot, and later on bikes. We had a late dinner at one of the a la carte restaurants (our first of four), and a fairly early night.
Saturday was our first excursion. We took the highway taxi into a town called Playa del Carmen, 30 minutes or so from the resort. It's a touristy beach town, with lots of little souvenir shops and many people trying to tempt you into buying timeshare property. Here's us after the animal guy stopped to ask us if we were from Canada:
It didn't take long to figure out that they're not actually interested in finding out where you're from, or if you're having a good time, but it's hard to just ignore them and keep walking. I think I would go insane living in a place as hectic as that, and I don't know if I would just develop a shell against the constant barrage of vendor appeals or if I'd become a complete shut-in. We did, however, manage to have a nice day once we found a spot on the beach.
Sunday was a resort day, full of snorkelling and reading and sipping pina coladas (beer for dad) on the beach. It was really cool to have actual reefs available to explore, and I managed to see a lot of fish. Dinner was at the seafood restaurant, where dad ate something called a hogsnapper.
On Monday, we went to Xel-Ha, a place that pretty much anyone who'd ever been to Mexico recommended to us. Paula especially recommended it, surprising because she is absolutely terrified by fish and by bridges, and there were many of each. Its name translates to 'place where the waters are born,' and is a lagoon that is fed both by the Caribbean sea and by three underground rivers emerging into it. It's become famous as a large, natural aquarium, where you can snorkel around and apparently see up to 100 species of fish. We meant to only spend a couple of hours there, and ended up spending the entire day snorkeling, walking around, and swimming in the (not-so) lazy river. It was absolutely beautiful.
Fish!
Hammock!
Courage!
Caves!
Tuesday was the Big Trip, to the Mayan ruins of Coba. On this trip, we learned that Cancun, in Mayan, means snake nest, that to 'wish' is to go to the bathroom, and malokine (sp?) means hello. We also explored some of the oldest ruins in the Yucatan, dating back to the first century. It was completely spectacular to see the immensity of the pyramids and structures, like the start of a road built perfectly level for 60 miles to a trading centre at a city near the later site of Chichen Itza. Here is the start of the road:
The ball courts were really interesting - they were ritual arenas where, in pre-colombian times relevant to Coba, political matters were settled peacefully by teams representing different cities (and later, not so peacefully).
From the top of the Nohoch Mul pyramid (tallest in the Yucatan peninsula), another large earth mound is visible, and our guide informed us that this is the site of another pyramid that could be even taller than the one that has been restored. To date, I think only 5% of the buildings have been unearthed from the jungle.
From the bottom:
At the top:
Inside the structure at the top (where the gods make the descent into heaven):
Looking down:
After the ruins, we went to a Mayan co-op, where each family sells their art to bring money into their village. We had lunch there, and I picked up a couple little things to bring home. Miriam, our tour guide, let me wear her beetles. They're real, but sacred, and have been adorned with gold and jewels - apparently their 'jackets' don't affect their lifespan.
Next we went to a Mayan village where we got to hang out with the little kids and give them school supplies. Here's a Mayan home, and garden (the most beautiful Mayan garden is the one which produces the most food):
A close up of the tree on the left - a monkey swinging!
A Mayan girl, with her pet badger:
After the village, we stopped at a cenote. Cenotes are caves/sinkholes, and are really common since the entire Yucatan peninsula is over underground river systems. This one was warm, and the water was clear, deep and beautiful. I jumped off an insanely high platform, since I knew it would make Mark proud. I ended up with the biggest wedgie ever. Here's my splash, unfortunately there are no photos of the jump itself:
Here's us with Angie, a really fun girl from Pennsylvania who was convinced to come swimming. This was after we gave up on our race to the far side of the cave:
The last day was the official 'relax' day, and we did nothing but lie on the beach, read, eat, and drink tropical drinks. Here's the sunrise:
The sunset:
And the coffee (so cool!):
Coming home:
It was a wonderful trip, one that I'll remember for the rest of my life, and hopefully I'll be able to visit again someday.
Coming home was really nice, as I missed Mark greatly. I have to send out a huge thank you to Mark and to my friends and family for the amazing birthday present. You guys are awesome and I will be appreciating you every single day (not that I wouldn't anyways). Hearts and hugs all around.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Back!
Mexican post soon... but first, happy birthday to Talon! Great things will come of him, just wait and see. And T, if you read this, I solemnly swear to never give you clothes again. Nothing but fun stuff from now on :)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
I NEED to get this project over with , so that I can move on and find some new passion for my life. I'm feeling so drained lately, trying to keep busy enough that I don't go insane. I'm also feeling like what I'm doing is not really leading anywhere - I'm not quite sure that I feel relevant, but I know that I want to feel relevant.
Also, I'm sick of dreaming of ex-boyfriends. I don't know what my mind is trying to do to me, but if it keeps this up, I'm going to get abusive. That's right, brain - one more Peter dream and I will hit you with a wall.
Also, I'm sick of dreaming of ex-boyfriends. I don't know what my mind is trying to do to me, but if it keeps this up, I'm going to get abusive. That's right, brain - one more Peter dream and I will hit you with a wall.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
title track
I realized that I know the square root of three by heart, but only till five decimal places. Please comment with a random fact about yourself, even if I don't know you and/or you have just stumbled across this blog by accident.
Listening over and over to two versions of the title track to this post - I will maybe post it here later. Not now. Today has been a good day for music though, in the blogs AND SUCH, and I'm seriously considering caving and replacing my dear departed iBROKENFACEpod.
I'm getting scared at how much of a scaredy-cat I am in French class. I sit there, hoping not to be called upon, counting down the minutes and holding intense internal debates over whether I should stay for the whole thing, or skip out at the halftime break. I'm not sure how much I've learned over the past five (well, 4.5, see above) classes other than that making something into a past tense is a complicated ordeal, and maybe talking in the present tense all the time wouldn't be such a terrible thing. One good thing (?) is that after last night, I will now start referring to everybody as 'mon petit chou' and by chou I mean 'dear,' not 'cauliflower.'
Tonight, I'm finally getting around to seeing a St. Mike's Majors game after having lived across the street from the arena for the past 15 months. This is an OHL game, and they're playing the Saginaw Spirit (yes, I give full permission for the wtf? to anyone who knows anything about Ontario or Michigan geography). I'm pretty sure Mark and I will have Sufjan Stevens in our head the entire time (saginaw! saginaw! public trans! public trans!). If anyone is confuse at this point, let me know and I will email you a song.
Listening over and over to two versions of the title track to this post - I will maybe post it here later. Not now. Today has been a good day for music though, in the blogs AND SUCH, and I'm seriously considering caving and replacing my dear departed iBROKENFACEpod.
I'm getting scared at how much of a scaredy-cat I am in French class. I sit there, hoping not to be called upon, counting down the minutes and holding intense internal debates over whether I should stay for the whole thing, or skip out at the halftime break. I'm not sure how much I've learned over the past five (well, 4.5, see above) classes other than that making something into a past tense is a complicated ordeal, and maybe talking in the present tense all the time wouldn't be such a terrible thing. One good thing (?) is that after last night, I will now start referring to everybody as 'mon petit chou' and by chou I mean 'dear,' not 'cauliflower.'
Tonight, I'm finally getting around to seeing a St. Mike's Majors game after having lived across the street from the arena for the past 15 months. This is an OHL game, and they're playing the Saginaw Spirit (yes, I give full permission for the wtf? to anyone who knows anything about Ontario or Michigan geography). I'm pretty sure Mark and I will have Sufjan Stevens in our head the entire time (saginaw! saginaw! public trans! public trans!). If anyone is confuse at this point, let me know and I will email you a song.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Enzymatic!
I stupidly cut up a papaya (mmm - thanks John!) on the same cutting board that Mark had used to prep stuff for a yummy black bean soup without washing it first. Now my papaya tastes garlicky... damn.
Also - for anyone in Toronto - Borat tonight?
Also - for anyone in Toronto - Borat tonight?
Monday, November 06, 2006
It's the weekend update!
Raptors! Since I don't know very much about b-ball, highlights included seeing some beautiful slam dunks, and the cutest little girl sitting behind us ("mom, when can I talk to Chris Bosh? I want to tell him that I saw him on TV!"). But the best thing ever: Samuel L. Jackson was there. So cool!
On Saturday, Mark, my dad and I went house-checking with Sharon. We saw a couple out on the Danforth that were fantastic - one felt like a really homey cottage, but would have been too small for a family. It did end up me want to buy a house... and it's nice to see that there are some homes that are nice, IN Toronto, and slightly affordable. The last house we checked out COULD be perfect - if nobody snaps it up before Sharon's house sells. SO - if anyone knows anyone who has a perverse desire to live outside of London, I know of a lovely end town-home for sale for a very reasonable price - jump to it! I also got an out-of-the-blue call from John, finding out that not only was he in town, but he wanted to do stuff! After I cured my withdrawal headache with an emergency choffee, Sharon, Mark and I headed down to the old Spaghetti factory and had a mini Cuba reunion (although, there was no ham in sight to go with the cheese). We took the party back to John's hotel, where Sharon and I bitched about the ignorant people in her life, and then watched SNAKES ON A PLANE - finally!!
Yesterday ended up being one of the most productive days that I've had in a really long time - Sharon dropped us off just past 9 am, and we proceeded to 'get shit done' for a whole 8 hours. Cleaning, laundry, cooking, purging... it was unbelievable. The result was a very clean apartment, and a successful (if tardy) Cuban feast (so the tardy kinda works if we think of it as a theme dinner...) with Mark's family, and a mini-celebration (also tardy) of Matt's birthday. John came by for that too, so the conversation was lively and the night was very enjoyable. So much John in one weekend!
All in all, it was a successful, and unexpectedly friend-filled weekend. I'm declaring myself officially recovered from my blahs.
On Saturday, Mark, my dad and I went house-checking with Sharon. We saw a couple out on the Danforth that were fantastic - one felt like a really homey cottage, but would have been too small for a family. It did end up me want to buy a house... and it's nice to see that there are some homes that are nice, IN Toronto, and slightly affordable. The last house we checked out COULD be perfect - if nobody snaps it up before Sharon's house sells. SO - if anyone knows anyone who has a perverse desire to live outside of London, I know of a lovely end town-home for sale for a very reasonable price - jump to it! I also got an out-of-the-blue call from John, finding out that not only was he in town, but he wanted to do stuff! After I cured my withdrawal headache with an emergency choffee, Sharon, Mark and I headed down to the old Spaghetti factory and had a mini Cuba reunion (although, there was no ham in sight to go with the cheese). We took the party back to John's hotel, where Sharon and I bitched about the ignorant people in her life, and then watched SNAKES ON A PLANE - finally!!
Yesterday ended up being one of the most productive days that I've had in a really long time - Sharon dropped us off just past 9 am, and we proceeded to 'get shit done' for a whole 8 hours. Cleaning, laundry, cooking, purging... it was unbelievable. The result was a very clean apartment, and a successful (if tardy) Cuban feast (so the tardy kinda works if we think of it as a theme dinner...) with Mark's family, and a mini-celebration (also tardy) of Matt's birthday. John came by for that too, so the conversation was lively and the night was very enjoyable. So much John in one weekend!
All in all, it was a successful, and unexpectedly friend-filled weekend. I'm declaring myself officially recovered from my blahs.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
The Come-Down
So this week is supposed to be good. At least, the nights are.
Monday: Deerhoof concert. AWESOMENESS, right? And, I was feeling pretty awesome already, thanks to a new, wonderful coffee machine at work that may end up saving me lots and lots of money. And then I played stupid video games when Igot home and went to the deerhoof concert for 9:30 - to find out that they started playing at 9 - #$@#%$^%&^! The 15 minutes that we caught was fantastic though, with the encore (Gore in Rut) almost making it worth the $17/ticket. We left two songs into the next band (Fiery Furnaces), and were in bed by 11. Boo.
Tuesday: Halloween. Traditionally, one of my favourite nights of the year. I stayed in all night. Boo again. This I blame on everyone being to far away - I miss my girl's halloween nights! Also, I felt pretty uninspired in the costume department - even though I bought the clouds and snowflakes for my "cloudy with a chance of flurries" costume, I couldn't get over the fact that I was just ripping off Megan's idea. Again, this could be solved by having people live closer - my best inspiration ever came from Sharon's unfortunate raccoon-slaughter on her way over to my place one halloween (Jen = Roadkill Raccoon).
Last night worked out slightly better - after last week's class of defeat (I left halfway through feeling like I would NEVER grasp la Francaise), I had a good class last night. No feelings of panicked helplessness! Afterwards, I met up with Mark and Sara for some sushi, and felt like all was right in the world. Mark and I walked home, enjoyed our chats, and relaxed. Hopefully, tonight will be equally nice.
Also, I need to take Sharon's advice about appreciating things before you're forced to. But it's just so hard to be nice and rational and cheerful when you only have 25 minutes left for sleep...
Monday: Deerhoof concert. AWESOMENESS, right? And, I was feeling pretty awesome already, thanks to a new, wonderful coffee machine at work that may end up saving me lots and lots of money. And then I played stupid video games when Igot home and went to the deerhoof concert for 9:30 - to find out that they started playing at 9 - #$@#%$^%&^! The 15 minutes that we caught was fantastic though, with the encore (Gore in Rut) almost making it worth the $17/ticket. We left two songs into the next band (Fiery Furnaces), and were in bed by 11. Boo.
Tuesday: Halloween. Traditionally, one of my favourite nights of the year. I stayed in all night. Boo again. This I blame on everyone being to far away - I miss my girl's halloween nights! Also, I felt pretty uninspired in the costume department - even though I bought the clouds and snowflakes for my "cloudy with a chance of flurries" costume, I couldn't get over the fact that I was just ripping off Megan's idea. Again, this could be solved by having people live closer - my best inspiration ever came from Sharon's unfortunate raccoon-slaughter on her way over to my place one halloween (Jen = Roadkill Raccoon).
Last night worked out slightly better - after last week's class of defeat (I left halfway through feeling like I would NEVER grasp la Francaise), I had a good class last night. No feelings of panicked helplessness! Afterwards, I met up with Mark and Sara for some sushi, and felt like all was right in the world. Mark and I walked home, enjoyed our chats, and relaxed. Hopefully, tonight will be equally nice.
Also, I need to take Sharon's advice about appreciating things before you're forced to. But it's just so hard to be nice and rational and cheerful when you only have 25 minutes left for sleep...
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