Before I begin my post, I have to thank Mr. Granted Null for the opportunity to write anonymously on his blog. Thanks!
Now for the post. I have been struggling for a while with what I want to write about. I have finally decided that I am just going to make a list of secrets and rants to share with all of you.
1. My boyfriend or husband (let's call him Boyband, as in boy(friend/hus)band - ooh, I'm so anonymous) annoys me in oh so many ways. It appears to be physically impossible for him to hang up his coat. He undresses in the living room and leaves his clothes there. He spends money on all kinds of crazy shit we don't need.
2. Boyband's family is very nice to me, but they are weird. On top of the weirdness, Boyband's parents were extremely mean to him when he was growing up, and I can't forgive them for the way they treated him, even though they are nicer to him now. I won't go into the ways they were mean to him because Boyband wouldn't want me to, but whatever you are imagining, it was worse. Yet Boyband has forgiven them and expects me to forgive them too. I can't.
3. Here is an example of Boyband's parents' current weirdness. They didn't go to Boyband's brother's wedding rehearsal. Nor did they show up early for the wedding, even though pictures were being taken beforehand.
4. I don't trust my dad. He has lied to me so many times that there is no way for him to regain my trust. I still love him though.
5. My mom criticizes everything and everyone. I am afraid that I will turn into her.
6. I feel like I can never do anything right at work.
7. I took a pregnancy test on Sunday morning, and it was positive. I am pregnant. Boyband and I are thrilled.
Wednesday, February 27
Tuesday, February 26
blog share participants
Just a reminder that I'm participating in the blog share tomorrow. An anonymous post by another blogger will be posted here on granted null. Thanks to -R- for organizing the blog share. It seems like a monumental task but it should be a great experience. The last time this was done there were some incredible posts.
Make sure you bounce around and check out all of the different participating blogs.
The Adventures of Shelagh
Alice's Wonderland
Alyndabear
And You Know What Else
Bright Yellow World
Daily Tannenbaum
Du Wax Loolu
Elise
Everything I Like Causes Cancer
Face Down
Fretting the Small Stuff
For the Long Run
Galoot's Hoot Page
Granted Null
Grumpy Frump
Just Below 63
Lawyerish
Life After AC
Liz Land
Malfeasance
Mamma Ren
Muse On Vacation
Muze News
Nancy Pearl Wannabe
Not What You Think It Is
One New Duck
Rankin Inlet: A Journey Northwards
Red Red Whine
Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills
The Reluctant Blogger
Sass Attack
Sauntering Soul
Sparkling Cipher
Stefanie Says
Three Carnations
Tracy Out Loud
Way Way Up
PS - Please don't ask or try to guess which of the anonymous posts on these other site is mine. The purpose of the blog share is to post anonymously. I won't confirm or deny any guesses. Thanks!
Make sure you bounce around and check out all of the different participating blogs.
The Adventures of Shelagh
Alice's Wonderland
Alyndabear
And You Know What Else
Bright Yellow World
Daily Tannenbaum
Du Wax Loolu
Elise
Everything I Like Causes Cancer
Face Down
Fretting the Small Stuff
For the Long Run
Galoot's Hoot Page
Granted Null
Grumpy Frump
Just Below 63
Lawyerish
Life After AC
Liz Land
Malfeasance
Mamma Ren
Muse On Vacation
Muze News
Nancy Pearl Wannabe
Not What You Think It Is
One New Duck
Rankin Inlet: A Journey Northwards
Red Red Whine
Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills
The Reluctant Blogger
Sass Attack
Sauntering Soul
Sparkling Cipher
Stefanie Says
Three Carnations
Tracy Out Loud
Way Way Up
PS - Please don't ask or try to guess which of the anonymous posts on these other site is mine. The purpose of the blog share is to post anonymously. I won't confirm or deny any guesses. Thanks!
Monday, February 25
blog roulette: special sharing edition
Some advanced warning, this week I will be participating in a blog share. In a nutshell, there will be an anonymous guest post here on my blog on Wednesday. One that I write will be posted anonymously on a different blog out on on the internet. The purpose is to write about something that you wouldn't write about on your own blog.
There are more than 30 bloggers participating in the blog share. The little sister participated in one of these before, so many of you are probably familiar with this. Because of the large number of bloggers involved, I may be posting a list of all the blogs involved so you can do some reading of all of the various posts, but this will be a last minute decision.
There are more than 30 bloggers participating in the blog share. The little sister participated in one of these before, so many of you are probably familiar with this. Because of the large number of bloggers involved, I may be posting a list of all the blogs involved so you can do some reading of all of the various posts, but this will be a last minute decision.
Sunday, February 24
a soundtrack for my stylish, mysterious life
I've added a new link over on the right side of the blog called "i listen to". You'll find a link to somafm.com, a commercial-free, listener-supported internet radio. They have number of different channels to choose from, but my favourites right now are:
Check them out, and if you like what you hear, give them some support!
- Groove Salad - a nicely chilled plate of ambient beats and grooves.
- Drone Zone - served best chilled, safe with most medications. Atmospheric textures with minimal beats.
- Illinois Street Lounge - classic bachelor pad, playful exotica and vintage music of tomorrow.
- Secret Agent - the soundtrack for your stylish, mysterious, dangerous life. For Spies and PIs too!
Check them out, and if you like what you hear, give them some support!
could this be the end?
I'm a fan of Eurovision, having written about the camp fest that is Europe's song competition. Eurovision has become more camp and more political over the last ten years and appears to be getting to the point where it is now so ridiculous, even people in Europe are fed up with it.
The biggest complaint is that it is no longer the best song or performer that wins, but whoever has the best regional bloc, i.e. Estonia gives 12 points to Latvia, and Latvia gives 12 points to Estonia.
It appears from this news story that at least the Irish are fed up. For this year, through a national, televised selection process, the Irish have chosen a singing turkey puppet to represent them. Even better, the song mocks Eurovision, the voting process and how silly the competition has become. The song is called Ireland Douze Pointe.
Here's the performance:
The biggest complaint is that it is no longer the best song or performer that wins, but whoever has the best regional bloc, i.e. Estonia gives 12 points to Latvia, and Latvia gives 12 points to Estonia.
It appears from this news story that at least the Irish are fed up. For this year, through a national, televised selection process, the Irish have chosen a singing turkey puppet to represent them. Even better, the song mocks Eurovision, the voting process and how silly the competition has become. The song is called Ireland Douze Pointe.
Here's the performance:
Sunday, February 17
memo to parents
I'm sitting in a Starbucks doing some schoolwork. I'm not at home to avoid the noise of renovation taking place on the other side of my wall. I don't expect quiet while working at Starbucks. In fact I find the general din of conversations and baristas yelling out orders comforting and quite conducive to work.
However, there are limits. I understand that most parents work full-time and therefore don't get to spend as much time with their children as they would like. On weekends, they want to spend as much time as possible with them. I get that. I don't mind you bringing your very young children and infants to Starbucks when you want a coffee. That's cool. What I do ask, is that you do not bring toys that make noise. Is it too much to ask that you consider the perspective and desires of those of us without children who don't want to be subjected to their toys making noise.
I understand the need to bring toys to keep them happy and avoid your child having a meltdown in the middle of Starbucks. Just bring their favourite stuffed toy. There is no reason to bring a toy that broadcasts across the entire cafe. I could even hear it while I was in the washroom.
So to the parents behind me who seem to be clueless to the rest of the world around then, a withering look of disapproval(tm) goes your way.
However, there are limits. I understand that most parents work full-time and therefore don't get to spend as much time with their children as they would like. On weekends, they want to spend as much time as possible with them. I get that. I don't mind you bringing your very young children and infants to Starbucks when you want a coffee. That's cool. What I do ask, is that you do not bring toys that make noise. Is it too much to ask that you consider the perspective and desires of those of us without children who don't want to be subjected to their toys making noise.
I understand the need to bring toys to keep them happy and avoid your child having a meltdown in the middle of Starbucks. Just bring their favourite stuffed toy. There is no reason to bring a toy that broadcasts across the entire cafe. I could even hear it while I was in the washroom.
So to the parents behind me who seem to be clueless to the rest of the world around then, a withering look of disapproval(tm) goes your way.
Saturday, February 16
heading towards a flock
I've been writing about my microlending experience for some time, and jut wanted to provide a further update. As my first loan has now paid off, I can reinvest it. My original $50 investment in Kiva is now the equivalent of $100 of loans.
Since Natik had some success with sheep, I've decided to stick with that theme while reinvesting the money I originally loaned to him.
This is Maarif Aliyev. He also lives in Azerbaijan. The following is the Kiva writeup for his loan:
Since Natik had some success with sheep, I've decided to stick with that theme while reinvesting the money I originally loaned to him.
This is Maarif Aliyev. He also lives in Azerbaijan. The following is the Kiva writeup for his loan:
Maarif Aliyev lives in Beylagan, a small town in Azerbaijan. He is 55 years old, married, and has three children. He is engaged in animal sales. He has ten years' experience at this business. Maarif purchases animals from the livestock market of Beylagan, raises them for some months, and then sells them again. (He is pictured at the livestock market.) Now he needs $400, with which sum he plans to buy some sheep to add to his flock.Maarif's loan has been filled and paid out. Repayments should begin in March. I've been thrilled by the whole experience with Kiva so far and hope to continue to have the loans repaid and then reinvested. It's an easy and simple way to make a difference in someone's life and I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, February 12
getting off the universal serial bus
Just under a year ago I experienced a major corruption of my computer files from using a USB key. It was not long before exams, created some anxiety and was a major hassle.
I offer the following as a cautionary tale.
This year, I went on using my iPod shuffle as a USB key this year. It worked fine until this past week. Somewhere along the way, it must not have got ejected properly and bam, the files were corrupted. Thankfully, having learned the hard way last year, I was far more regular about backing up my files, and all in all, it appears I have only lost three files, mainly class notes, that I can get from someone else.
Anyways, I am now swearing off USB keys. This year I was working off the USB key as my primary source of files so that I could change computers only. I was then backing up to both computers. The problem with this system is if you don't realize the files have been corrupted, you just start transferring and backing up corrupted files.
My new system is to directly network my computers with an ethernet cable and ignore the usb key totally. Hopefully this system will be bulletproof and no longer will I have to deal with corrupted files.
Thursday, February 7
it's only fair
A little piece of me is dying inside while I write this post, but I figure it's only fair that I write it. Brace yourselves folks, I'm about to write something nice about Air Canada.
Like most Canadians, I have a love/hate relationship with Air Canada. Okay, most Canadians just have a hate relationship with Air Canada, but I must admit mine is more love/hate.
There are times that I actually do love Air Canada. For example, the fact they offer direct flights. From the middle of the prairie, to get to the parental units, I have to fly west first, then retrace my steps back east if I fly Westjet. Hmmm, maybe that's why they call it Westjet.
I hate the forced frivolity that accompanies a Westjet flight, and love the cool, detached almost snoblike service on Air Canada. I love Aeroplan. Unlike others, I've had a handful of Aeroplan flights, including first class which have been great.
Most of my complaints with Air Canada are related to activities on the ground. Such was how the latest go round began. My trip to Toronto for a national mooting competition got mixed up and had me leaving 12 hours early, smack in the middle of a night class. I wanted to change my flight so I wouldn't miss class, and also have the chance to fly out with everyone else.
Unfortunately, as the flights were booked for us, I didn't have the original credit card information so I had to make changes over the phone and not online. I called once, waited almost half an hour to find out fares had gone up, and it would cost close to $200 more with the new fare and change fees. Not only is there a $40 change fee, but also a $25 fee to talk to a person. I hung up.
Anyways, I waited for a seat sale and one came up yesterday. A lower fare was available on the flight I wanted. I called once, was told to expect a 30 minute wait and hung up. Called again a while later and was told to expect a 45 minute wait; hung up. Waited a little longer, called and was told to expect a 30 minute wait; I stayed on the line.
After 70 minutes on hold, hearing the same ads repeat every four minutes, I was less than impressed when I finally got a person. I gave my confirmation number and told her I needed to change my seat after pointing out I had been on hold for 70 minutes. In fact, she corrected this and told me it was exactly 76 minutes. Not off to a great start.
So she proceeds to tell me that my booking was a web booking and I could save the $25 fee if I made the change on the web site. What a revelation! I explained again that if I could have done that I would have, and wouldn't have had to spend 76 minutes on hold. I explained to her that I didn't have a problem paying $25 to speak to a person, but I did have a HUGE problem, paying $25 to speak to a person after waiting 76 minutes.
After an explanation of a snow storm in Toronto, and all flights being cancelled, I was like "whatever" just change my flight. I decided that rather than asking to speak to a manager, I would just start drafting emails that would be sent to every Air Canada email address I could find and complain after the fact.
So this Air Canada agent, a french woman, stunned me in the end. She changed my flight, did advance seat selection and informed me that she would not charge me the $25 fee to speak to a person. What? Really? Without even throwing a full-scale fit? What's up with that? Nice way to steal my thunder. I said "thank you, I appreciate that," and began deleting the draft email I was furiously typing away to good ol' Robbie Milton.
So Air Canada, you have a good, smart customer service agent with an actual talent for customer service; I have to give you credit for that. We all know that if that hadn't happened, there would have been a scathing entry about Air Canada on the blog today. It's only fair that I share the good along with the bad. This time you've spared yourself from a withering look of disapproval(tm).
Like most Canadians, I have a love/hate relationship with Air Canada. Okay, most Canadians just have a hate relationship with Air Canada, but I must admit mine is more love/hate.
There are times that I actually do love Air Canada. For example, the fact they offer direct flights. From the middle of the prairie, to get to the parental units, I have to fly west first, then retrace my steps back east if I fly Westjet. Hmmm, maybe that's why they call it Westjet.
I hate the forced frivolity that accompanies a Westjet flight, and love the cool, detached almost snoblike service on Air Canada. I love Aeroplan. Unlike others, I've had a handful of Aeroplan flights, including first class which have been great.
Most of my complaints with Air Canada are related to activities on the ground. Such was how the latest go round began. My trip to Toronto for a national mooting competition got mixed up and had me leaving 12 hours early, smack in the middle of a night class. I wanted to change my flight so I wouldn't miss class, and also have the chance to fly out with everyone else.
Unfortunately, as the flights were booked for us, I didn't have the original credit card information so I had to make changes over the phone and not online. I called once, waited almost half an hour to find out fares had gone up, and it would cost close to $200 more with the new fare and change fees. Not only is there a $40 change fee, but also a $25 fee to talk to a person. I hung up.
Anyways, I waited for a seat sale and one came up yesterday. A lower fare was available on the flight I wanted. I called once, was told to expect a 30 minute wait and hung up. Called again a while later and was told to expect a 45 minute wait; hung up. Waited a little longer, called and was told to expect a 30 minute wait; I stayed on the line.
After 70 minutes on hold, hearing the same ads repeat every four minutes, I was less than impressed when I finally got a person. I gave my confirmation number and told her I needed to change my seat after pointing out I had been on hold for 70 minutes. In fact, she corrected this and told me it was exactly 76 minutes. Not off to a great start.
So she proceeds to tell me that my booking was a web booking and I could save the $25 fee if I made the change on the web site. What a revelation! I explained again that if I could have done that I would have, and wouldn't have had to spend 76 minutes on hold. I explained to her that I didn't have a problem paying $25 to speak to a person, but I did have a HUGE problem, paying $25 to speak to a person after waiting 76 minutes.
After an explanation of a snow storm in Toronto, and all flights being cancelled, I was like "whatever" just change my flight. I decided that rather than asking to speak to a manager, I would just start drafting emails that would be sent to every Air Canada email address I could find and complain after the fact.
So this Air Canada agent, a french woman, stunned me in the end. She changed my flight, did advance seat selection and informed me that she would not charge me the $25 fee to speak to a person. What? Really? Without even throwing a full-scale fit? What's up with that? Nice way to steal my thunder. I said "thank you, I appreciate that," and began deleting the draft email I was furiously typing away to good ol' Robbie Milton.
So Air Canada, you have a good, smart customer service agent with an actual talent for customer service; I have to give you credit for that. We all know that if that hadn't happened, there would have been a scathing entry about Air Canada on the blog today. It's only fair that I share the good along with the bad. This time you've spared yourself from a withering look of disapproval(tm).
they tried to make me go to rehab
Karan, at her blog, wrote an interesting piece on celebrities heading off to rehab at the first act of drunken inappropriate behaviour. Well, if that’s all it took to make you go to rehab, the little law school here on the prairie would be a rather empty place. Inappropriate drunken behaviour is an unwritten requirement of being in law school.
This past weekend, as you can guess from Sunday's post, featured a lot of drinking. It was Legal Follies weekend and the name alone sums it up. Legal Follies is actually the name of the annual show put on by law students. It includes musical performances, videos, skits, etc. Many of the law school videos on this site were all created for Legal Follies type shows at other law schools.
Anyways, Legal Follies is followed by the After Party. This year we got an early start with margaritas over dinner before the show started. We decided then to take a nalgene of margaritas to the show with us. God, it's like we're 16 again, sneaking booze into the theatre. There was more drinking at the After Party. Then there was the impromptu After After Party which happened at a class mate's apartment.
The new rule should be that when the bar closes or an event happens, GO HOME! The problem with going back to someone's place is then you just keep drinking. Rather than get home at 2 am, you end up home at 5 am.
The nice thing of restricting this behaviour to only the main law school events, i.e. Prom, Halloween, Follies, St. Patrick's Day is that everyone else is as drunk and as inappropriate. The best thing about this past weekend, is it leveled the playing field between me and the cowboy-lap-dancer. This time it was the cowboy-lap-dancer being inappropriate with me, so we've called it fair and square and neither one of us has to be embarrassed anymore.
See, some good things can come out of drunken inappropriate behaviour. And as for rehab, I'll leave that to the celebrities who can't handle a little public embarrassment.
This past weekend, as you can guess from Sunday's post, featured a lot of drinking. It was Legal Follies weekend and the name alone sums it up. Legal Follies is actually the name of the annual show put on by law students. It includes musical performances, videos, skits, etc. Many of the law school videos on this site were all created for Legal Follies type shows at other law schools.
Anyways, Legal Follies is followed by the After Party. This year we got an early start with margaritas over dinner before the show started. We decided then to take a nalgene of margaritas to the show with us. God, it's like we're 16 again, sneaking booze into the theatre. There was more drinking at the After Party. Then there was the impromptu After After Party which happened at a class mate's apartment.
The new rule should be that when the bar closes or an event happens, GO HOME! The problem with going back to someone's place is then you just keep drinking. Rather than get home at 2 am, you end up home at 5 am.
The nice thing of restricting this behaviour to only the main law school events, i.e. Prom, Halloween, Follies, St. Patrick's Day is that everyone else is as drunk and as inappropriate. The best thing about this past weekend, is it leveled the playing field between me and the cowboy-lap-dancer. This time it was the cowboy-lap-dancer being inappropriate with me, so we've called it fair and square and neither one of us has to be embarrassed anymore.
See, some good things can come out of drunken inappropriate behaviour. And as for rehab, I'll leave that to the celebrities who can't handle a little public embarrassment.
Sunday, February 3
scientific proof
It's been a couple of weeks since the last curling update. Last week was a win by forfeit, as the opposing team did not show up. The same thing happened today. However, we did have the chance to just have a fun game against another team whose opponent didn't show up. We won convincingly, 6-1.
The ironic thing is the last time we won that convincingly was after the infamous St. Patrick's Day last year. We were all hungover, tired and functioning on only a few hours of poor quality sleep. Considering it happened just that once, I thought it was a fluke.
But today we hit the rink, hungover, tired and functioning on only a few hours of poor quality sleep and played brilliantly. It's no longer a fluke, it's scientific proof. Playing hungover improves our curling skills.
The ironic thing is the last time we won that convincingly was after the infamous St. Patrick's Day last year. We were all hungover, tired and functioning on only a few hours of poor quality sleep. Considering it happened just that once, I thought it was a fluke.
But today we hit the rink, hungover, tired and functioning on only a few hours of poor quality sleep and played brilliantly. It's no longer a fluke, it's scientific proof. Playing hungover improves our curling skills.
blog roulette: express yourself
In keeping with the sketching/creativity theme, this edition of blog roulette looks at a blog about painting.
The blog I clicked through to and stopped at today is called "A Painter's Place". There are some really nice paintings on display.
Here's what the blogger has to say about her blog:
The blog I clicked through to and stopped at today is called "A Painter's Place". There are some really nice paintings on display.
Here's what the blogger has to say about her blog:
I've loved to paint since I found paints and brushes, probably around 9 or 10 yrs. old. I guess not much has changed. So as I contemplate and prepare for my new year's resolution of making a-painting-a-day, I'm enthusiastic about the challenge of smaller paintings. The possibilities for creative experimentation have me inspired once again. Please send comments about my work, as I love and learn from the feedback I get. Thank you for visiting my painting site.
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