Supernatural

Ok, ok, ok. I admit it, I have been known to catch the occasional Gilmore Girl episode (Although, lately I think it's just wasting good airtime.)
Anyhoo, I'm sorry for the GG thing but I've never tried to hide that I was lame so deal with it... Take solace in the fact that I hate myself for watching WB shows.
Internal loathing aside, I have to tell you, I like Supernatural. It airs on Thursdays at nine and most of the time scares the crap out of me. It's not like I am a Scaredy Cat or anything but hey, it's dark outside at nine and I live with Kiwi and Whitey and they're no help whatsoever should a scary murderous ghost come and get me so I sometimes watch large chunks of the show on "mute". Or I hide behind a pillow. Or I pick Kiwi up and hold her out just so so that she can block 85% of the screen. It's probably an odd sight to people passing by the window... Heck, it seems odd just typing the words.

Check the show out. It's amusing.

All clear on the NPM front

All the partners are on a different floor for their monthly meeting so it's really quiet here. Generally I would be wary of such occurences but I know they will only be back at 5pm... after I leave so no hell is going to break loose during my lovely Friday.
Nineteen degrees. Sunny. Light work day. Free snow taffy. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

So...Sweet

Today my office building (The Telus Tower) had a free snow taffy thingy. It had been years since I last had some and let me tell you, concentrated maple goo is yummy.
And so very sweet.
Thanks Mr. Building!

This Bunny is naughty...Tsk, tsk, tsk.

I'm working on the Penskie file

I so bored.
I am work right now and I don't really have anything to do. I have completed all my tasks already and now I am wishing someone had taught me the important lesson of how to spread out my work so it lasts for hours.

Great, now I have to pretend to be working on the Penskie file for the rest of the day à la George Constanza.

Another Question for the Muddler

Mudd, can you help me get rid of a virus on a computer? I don't have it right now (it's in FLA with the 'rents, who decided to give up on it and buy a Toshiba.)
Anyhoo, I believe it's kind of like the one you got from pre-used IBM a few months ago. I'm not going to lie to you, it's got some issues but with your techno brilliance I thought maybe you could help. Maybe then I could upgrade from a really old laptop to just an old laptop.

I could pay you... Poorly.

P.S. If you could fix the glitch I would admire your techno-geekiness forever. And with gusto.

Stoopid Template

My template was giving my grief so I had to switch over.
Again.
Let's hope this one works out better than the last otherwise it's back to "Minima Black".

*Edited because I had to change to a new template after I posted this. Rassafrassah...

Cross your fingers...

On Friday I am going to go look at a 700 sq ft. loft in St. Henri and I am hoping it is what I have been looking for. It's within my price range and damn it, I've always wanted to live in a loft.

Revenge of the Bunny

I don't care what you think... I like the Gin Blossoms

Where did they go anyway?

I finally got old enough to make this song meaningful...

"29"

Time won’t stand by forever if I know it’s true
And I’ve learned not to say never
Or else I’ll seem the fool
Twenty-nine you’d think I’d know better
Living like a kid
When my lies may seem less than clever
Is when I fall for it
Only time will tell if wishing wells
Can bring us anything
Or fade like scenes from childhood dreams
Forgotten memories
Some rides don’t have much of a finish
That’s the ride I took
Through good and bad and straight through indifference
Without a second look
There’s no intentions worthy of mention
If we never try
So hang your hopes on rusted-out hinges
Take ’em for a ride
Only time will tell if wishing wells
Can bring us anything
Or fade like scenes from childhood dreams
Forgotten memories
Only time will tell...

Friday's Bunny

Gnomish Dreams

Thanks to John for this link.

Last night I had a peculiar dream and it actually made me laugh when I woke up but then I became confused. Then I became agitated. Then I became hungry and ate a bagel.
Anyhoo, here is the dream:
I had bought a house in an unknown neighbourhood with my cousin (who got married this summer) and it was a large Victorian gem. I have always had a thing for attics so I was really excited that this one had one and that it was completely renovated. The house was quite lovely and really large but to the point of having too many rooms for the actual space, you know what I mean? So, the amusing part was that when I had a house-warming party and invited my friends and family over and started showing them the house it suddenly occured to me all the rooms were bathrooms.

Here is what dreammoods had to say about the symbols in my dream:

House

To see a house in your dream, represents your own soul and self. Specific rooms in the house indicate a specific aspect of your psyche. In general, the attic represents your intellect, the basement represents the unconscious, etc. If the house is empty, then it indicates feelings of insecurity. If the house is shifting, then it suggests that you are going through some personal changes and changing your belief system. If you live with others in your walking life, but dream that you are living alone, suggests that you need to take new steps toward independence. You need to accept responsibilities and be more self-reliant.

To see an old, run-down house in your dream, represents your old beliefs, attitudes and how you used to think or feel. A situation in your current life may be bringing about those same old attitudes and feelings. Alternatively, the old house may symbolize your need to update you mode of thinking. If the house is new, then it indicates that you are entering into a new phase or new area in your life.

Bathroom

To dream that you are in the bathroom, relates to your instinctual urges. You may be experiencing some burdens/feelings and need to "relieve yourself". Alternatively, it may symbolize purification and self-renewal. You need to cleanse yourself, both emotionally and psychologically.

Cousins

To see your cousin in your dream, represents something or some aspect of your character that is somewhat familiar. Perhaps you need to spend more time in cultivating and developing some emerging ability or character.

Room

To dream that you are in a room, represents a particular aspect of yourself or a particular relationship. Dreams about various rooms often relate to hidden areas of the conscious mind and different aspects of your personality.
To dream that you find or discover new rooms, suggests that you are developing new strengths and taking on new roles. You may be growing emotionally.
To see an appealing or comfortable room in your dream, signifies opulence and satisfaction in life.

I am fascinating, I know.

Halifax Bound?

Most of my friends know that I am interviewing for a job in Halifax therefore that pretty much means ALL the readers of this blog know I might be moving there but I just wanted to tell those who might not be in the know. I would be starting there in a couple of months and yes, it's a little scary but that's no reason not to take a chance, right? Right? The way I look at the situation is, "Well, I was moving anyway."
It's something new and challenging so I am psyched at the prospect of the responsibility.
Plus, I've got plans for people when I am there. You know who you are.

I find myself basically in a win-win situation because if I don't get it then I still get to work where I am currently and this place is great.

Why so much Guy Candy?

Because my readers were suffering from malnutrition.

CSI: NY - I've always liked Gary Sinise's forearms

1. Eddie Cahill
He plays a cop. Oooh.


2. "Hey, it's that guy." Carmine Giovi-thing


3. Look, it's lieutenant Dan!

CSI Miami: Hot and sultry and kinda sandy

1. Adam Rodriguez


2. Jonathan Togo ( I think he's the new guy.)

3. David Caruso
Hey, wasn't he on NYPD Blue? And wasn't he also nekkid?

Guy Candy: Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas

1. William Peterson (Gill Grissom)

2. George Eads (Nick Stokes)

3. Eric Szmanda (Greg Something)

Back by popular demand!
Now 50% more filling!

I give props to Swiss Miss for reminding me that I haven't posted Guy Candy in a while. Enjoy ladies, enjoy.

I don't watch CSI so I'm flying blindly here...

P.S. I know I am missing the Warwick guy but I already featured him on Guy Candy. Sorry Steffo!

New link

My friend John has a blog. Check it out, he's a talented writer who has some interesting things to say. He's in Tennesse right now, originally from New Jersey and aims to be from, uh, somewhere else. I think he's like the wind, man. Whoosh, indeed.

Scott, Scott. *Sigh*

You suck.
It's too bad you didn't come, remember that cute band from the Old Orchard on Monkland that we heard on my birthday? Yeah, they were there. You missed out.
Silly boy.

Scott. Call me.

I responder to your email about this weekend and I assumed you were coming with me to the party. Or, at least meeting me at the bar. I don't know AS YOU HAVEN'T ANSWERED ME YET. I am so going to bitch-slap you.

St. Patrick's Bunny

In Her Shoes

You know, I liked this movie. Here's a poem that I liked from it:

i carry your heart with me by e. e. cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it
in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

Despite the fact that I have titled this blog after a Carpenters song as well as the fact that Monday was, like, two days ago I feel that this blog is in tune with my feelings today. I don’t know, it may be that life is always a little grey and depressing after a Montreal winter and you know what, I don’t even think what I feel is depression, it may be more accurate to describe it as anxiety over the future.

As many of you know, I will be moving in the next couple of months and am now on the lookout for new apartments and I kind of find it stressful. Don’t get me wrong, I like looking at other’s people’s homes but it’s the whole ordeal of finding a place where I feel comfortable, where everything is within walking distance and where I can see perhaps living for more than one year is a difficult task.

In addition to the apartment thing I feel that professionally I am a little “up in the air”. Don’t get me wrong, I like my job at the law firm but there are circumstances that are forcing me to rethink whether or not I want to be employed with the company I am currently with. Nothing is ever set in stone, and, for the most part I have accepted that but can a person just have a little stability now and then? I understand that life is full of ups and downs and is constantly evolving into something else but sometimes I wish I could breathe freely again without worrying what tomorrow will bring.

So, to recap: Apartment hunting is stressful, I am rethinking my work situation, I have applied for a job in Halifax with same company with who I am rethinking my work situation.

Wait, did I mention the Halifax thing before? No, I don’t think so. Anyhoo, here’s the dealio, there is a new site that my company has acquired and needs to send someone there. The position is still undefined but I would officially have to say I would be there for more than one year. I think it would be an interesting opportunity even though it is far away from friends and family for a little while. In any case, a couple of years isn’t so bad and it may be the thing I need to push me kicking and screaming into adulthood. Right now I think I am in a front-running position for the job and if it was offered to me with the right price and incentives then I would take it. I know, I know, you’re thinking that if I have anxiety over finding apartments in a city that I have lived in my entire life, what kind of basket case will I be when I am looking for them in an unknown city? Well, here’s my answer: To me a move is a move is a move. It all comes out to the same thing. I mainly feel anxiety over the change.

Le Sentiment du Lapin pour vendredi

Wait...John Denver's dead?

When did this happen and why was I not informed?

Good Lord, why do I know this song?

Dude, this song came on and I knew all the words and hummed along with it. What is wrong with me?

Almost heaven, west virginia
Blue ridge mountains, shenandoah river
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
All my mem’ries, gather ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye
Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roadsI hear her voice, in the mornin’ hours she calls to me
The radio reminds me of my home far a-way
And drivin’ down the road I get a feeling’
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

Hey...

...There are a hell of a lot of bunnies on this blog. I guess it seems like a lot because I haven't really been writing all that much and they are especially popular with the kids so I can't not post a sentiment.

HP:GOF - Take Two

Ok, so I saw it again and I was hoping that in my second viewing my original critique of it would change but alas, it has not. I know there are some of you out there that think this is the best Potter film yet and I say to you: "You're wrong so shut your face."

Honestly, still viciously underwhelmed by the film.

Thursday's sentiment.

Steffo, you asked for it.

Hump Day's Sentiment

Huh.

You Are Scooter

Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick.You're always willing to lend a helping hand.In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going."15 seconds to showtime!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Huh.

Where are my words?

Generally I am pretty good at updating this blog but lately I have been a little "meh" about it. I can't think of anything to write about and although that hasn't really stopped me before I am going to stay chilled and think about what I want to write about.

Here's today's sentiment, by the way:

Craptastic!

Sheesh. I have had one of those days, you know what I mean? A day of working for tha man and getting nothing in return. (Except for my measly pay. Pittance, I tells you, pittance.) I am going to go home, drink some maple sugar and hide under the blankets. Oh yeah, and I forgot, here's today's sentiment that is felt deeply by me:

Friday's Sentiment

Country of my Skull

I like to consider myself an avid reader and I rarely feel the need to put down a book for a breather if I am seriously into the topic. However, the other day the book I ordered from Indigo came in and I rushed home to start to read it. (I can't read in moving vehicles, so the bus ride home was out of the question.) Anyhoo, Country of my Skull is a book by Antjie Krog that recounts the many stories that were brought to the general public during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. The TRC was set up in an attempt to bring to the fore the horrible injustices suffered during the Apartheid era and to encourage healing amongst Saffas. It's an interesting and intense read but there's only so much inhumanity and torture a reader can take in one sitting so I have been thusfar reading it in spurts. Krog, an Afrikaan poet from Bleomfontein in the Orange Free State tells the stories with a sort of guilt, a guilt that can be guessed was felt by the majority of liberally minded Afrikaaners who had to come to terms with their violent histories. She is shocked, saddened and emotionally scarred from her work for SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) on the TRC and struggles with her pride at being a white South African as well as her shame for those who were abused and oppressed while her race prospered. Yes, there's extreme sadness and horror in the stories by the victims but there are also small glimmers of hope for the future. Tiny glimmers may not seem like a lot but Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will South Africa, it seems that people tend to forget that the official policy of Apartheid lasted for 40 years and under that regime many people suffered so there are deep wounds that need to be healed. I imagine there are a lot of ghosts that need to be exorcised and attitudes to be changed in order for people to truly be equal in the land.

An interesting sidebar is that I brought this book into work with me to try and read a few chapters during lunch and many people in the office were intrigued by the title. While Krog never really states why she used the specific title I am assuming it's because at the time of writing the book she felt haunted by her people's past and emotionally raw to the bone. Her beloved country, with it's picturesque landscapes had a ugly inescapable history to it whose foundations were built upon the bones of many victims. Or perhaps it is called Country of my Skull because South Africa is more than where she lives and was born in, it is a place that inhabits the very marrow of her bones and the essence of who she is. It's not superficial, like skin or hair, it's within her. Again, I do not know the real answer and am only making assumptions.

If you are more of a movie person rather than a reader then I make the suggestion that you rent In My Country, which is loosely based on the book and has Juliet Binoche and Samuel L. Jackson in it. I've read some forums that say the Afrikaans in the movie is horrible and that Juliet Binoche has a terrible accent but chances are, if you know me and read this blog, you're working knowledge of Afrikaans is limited so go wild and throw caution to the wind and rent it.

Thursday's Bunny Sentiment

The essence, man, the essence.

Online Dating Profile

I should just put this as my uploaded photo.

Today's Happy Bunny Sentiment

Check out some more Happy Bunnies at this site.

A Question of Great Importance

For the Muddler:

What's up with February being so short? Also, what's the dealio with leap years? Your sister and I were discussing it and realized we didn't know and thought you would be in possession of the knowledge.

Where'd you go, Joan Osborne?

One of my favourite CDs of all time is Joan Osborne's Relish and it occured to me the other day that she just completely fell off the map, didn't she? One wonders how someone with obvious talent can fade away into obscurity while the likes of Britney Spears just keep...on...coming...back. It blows the mind, man. If you ever get the chance to listen to the CD I highly recommend the tracks St Theresa, Dracula Moon, Ladder and Lumina. Good stuff.

Question

Does anyone know what it means when your eyeball is itchy? Mine has been bothering me all morning and there's nothing in there - I checked. Sooo...itchy.

So...Cold.

I heard on the radio this morning that with the windchill some places in Montreal feel like -45. Really though, what the hell is that? Not that I am an avocate of it or anything but when is global warming going to affect Canada and more specifically, here?

Excuse me while I go burn some fossil fuels.

HP: GOF - 03-07-06

You heard right, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is coming out on DVD next week. Although I do admit to being under-awed for the film I feel as though a second chance is definitely in the cards for this film. Another film that has piqued my curiosity is Walk the Line because I've always seen parallels between my life and that of Johnny Cash. Oh ok, not really but I do think Ring of Fire was written for me.

AG's Garlic Herb Fettuccini with Portobello Mushrooms

Here's the recipe you've all been waiting for:

1. Buy fettuccini, because it sucks to get home and to realize you forgot to buy the damned pasta.
2. Put said fettuccini in boiling water. Stir so it doesn't get stuck together because it's icky then it clumps together.
3. Oops, you should have probably started grilling your mushrooms by now. Hurry before the pasta's ready! Crap.
4. Take scissors to open the "Garlic and Herb" sauce from Knorr. Concentrate so you don't cut too much and most of the stuff falls out on to the floor. Be carefull not to sneeze either because then your dinner is gone in a puff of powder.
5. When you think your fettuccini is ready take a piece and throw it somewhere, preferrably on the ceiling. If it sticks then it's ready. Then wonder how your going to get the damned peace of pasta off the damned ceiling. It's ok to use profanity now.
6. Hopefully your portos are done by now. Turn your heat way down. No one likes burnt black fungus to eat.
7.Drain pasta and receive facial at the same time. N i c e. Put pasta back in pot. Put 3 tbsp of water in pot. Put 1 tbsp of veggie oil. Pour in Knorr stuff. Mix or fluff or whatever,
8. You can either put the pasta on the plate and put the portos on top or you can swish them in the pot with the pasta.
9. Ta-da, you're done!
10. Enjoy baby, enjoy.

Lunchtime Made Easy

For those of us who are just too plain lazy to make a wonderful lunch, may I suggest Campbell's Soup To-Go? It's easy, fast and pretty darn tasty.

Portobello Mushrooms...

... A fine substitute for meat. I think they are generally regarded as a "meaty" vegetable anyway but they are good and a great replacement for those of us who want to cut down on our meat and poultry intake.

Lookin' for a computer

I am looking for a new pc and since I am on a budget I am checking out all the different "sales" and "special offers" from various compy companies and I came across an add while watching tv and it seemed alright so I checked it out online. They have a few different models in my price range available and I thought "Why not?" so I chose one and waited for them to get back to me and after a couple of days they did and said that I was approved for financing so, you know, yay and all. However, before I signed anything I asked them to fax me the information and I would go over it (because it's not the same talking about it over the phone, I have to see in writing what I'm buying). It's a good thing I did because it turns out that even though I had signed up for a certain model online, the one I was ordering wasn't the same one AND it seemed more expensive too. Here's the deal, you have a choice with the company, either you don't have to pay anything for twelve months or you pay on a monthly basis but you obviously have to put a sort of deposit down before the ship the compy to you. Anyhoo, in eight weeks you pay them 624.00$ and then they deduct your account 60.00$ every month for the next two years. The total amount for the compy that I didn't necessarily pick out online is 2,064.00$, which seems like a lot for a compy they were advertising for 699.99$

I Love Rugby

More specifically, I love southern hemisphere rugby and I am pretty darn bummed that no network is showing any Super 14 games this year. It totally sucks and even though I can technically catch some of the matches online I don't have a good enough computer or connection to watch them. It indeed sucks to be me. I hate Fox Sportsworld for airing games in the past and getting me hooked and then leaving me high and dry. How will I know how my beloved Bulls are playing? Yes, it's true, I am a Blue Bulls fan. Shocking, I know. Anyhoo, I know that Expressvu Pay-per-View is offering Six Nations Rugby and Premiership Rugby but I am unfamiliar with the teams.

Seriously though, has anyone seen it?

Yes, after a long time on and off the online dating scene I am thinking that I am going write in big bold letters "HAS ANYONE SEEN MY SELF-RESPECT?"
I just don't know, I don't feel like making a "connection" right now and although it would be nice to hang with some dude on Saturday nights I am feeling my old reclusive tendencies sneeking up on me. I just want to sleep and hide, man.

Edited because I found a more apt headline. Apt, indeed.

I wish I was there

Aahh, the Cayman Islands. I've been to Grand Cayman and that was pretty sweet and after a month of this crappy weather I am letting my mind drift to sunnier locations.

I wish I had a Dobie

This dog reminds me of our old family pet Baron. He was my favourite dog in the whole wide world. He was a super Dobermann. I miss him.

I wish I had a Temple.

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia, located in central Java, approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta. It was built around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya dynasty. Not long after its construction, the temple was abandoned and began to deteriorate.
The reconstruction of the compound began in 1918, and is currently unfinished. The main building has only been completed in 1953, since it is next to impossible to find the original stonework, which has often been stolen and reused at remote construction sites. A temple will only be rebuilt if at least 75% of the original stones are available. Therefore, from most of the smaller shrines one can still see not much more than their foundation walls.
Today, it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical for the hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.

The Olympics Not So Boring Afterall

I've been busy with work so I haven't really had a chance to research Guy Candy. However, while watching the Olympics the other night I came across a definate candidate. His name is Jeremy Bloom and he was a competitor in the freestyle moguls.
He's an American... Sorry.

More Bali

Bali Bali Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island located at 8°25′23″S, 115°14′55″E, and one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is in a chain with Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is a popular tourist destination and, along with Java, known for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather and metalworking, and music, especially that played on the gamelan.
Bali lies 3.2 km east of Java and about 8 degrees south of the equator. It is 153 km long and 112 km wide (95 by 69 miles). Its surface area is 5,633 km². The highest point is Mount Agung, 3,142 m high (10,308 feet), an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains range from the central to the eastern side, Mount Agung being the easternmost peak. Mount Batur, or what remains of it, is also still active. About 30,000 years ago it experienced a massive catastrophic eruption — one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth.
Bali is a richly diverse island of approximately 3.57 million people (2003 statistics).

Religion
Unlike most of Muslim-majority Indonesia, about 92% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, formed as a combination of existing local beliefs and Hindu influences from mainland Southeast Asia and South Asia. Minority religions include Islam (5.7%), Christianity (1.4%), and Buddhism (0.6%) (2003 statistics).
Language
Balinese and Indonesian are the most widely spoken languages in Bali, and many Balinese people are bilingual or even trilingual. English is a common third language owing to the island's large tourism industry.
Balinese is a rich and diverse language reflecting the population. In the past, the language was heavily influenced by the Balinese caste system, but this is becoming less and less pronounced.
Culture
Bali is famous for the arts, both the performing arts as well as painting, scuplture, and woodcarving. Balinese gamelan music is highly developed and varied. . Famous Balinese dances include Pendet, legong, baris (dance), topeng, barong, and many others.


Pretty place, just don't get killed by bombers.

AG's Found her Mojo!

Woohoo, finally the BloggerMojo.com network has been lauched! I told you all that I dreamed of total world domination and now I am one step closer to that goal. Mwahaha!!! It's brand-spankin' new so I don't know how many posts there will be for your viewing pleasure but rest assured you can find my rantings and enlightening posts on a couple of the sites. I have signed up for Flickmojo.com and Warmojo.com so keep an eye out for the utter brilliance that is me. I am and always shall be Angrygnome.

Black Toosday

Hey peeps, my dear friend over at Nefertitia's Loft has dubbed tomorrow "Black Tuesday" and I have taken a liking to the term to describe Valentine's Day so I am going to steal it for this post. Indeed, for those of us who are currently inhabiting the singledom world, the day isn't looked upon with glee as it tends to remind us of the fact that we are single. And alone. And living with cats... Oh God, oh God, oh God... Where are you Mr. Soulmate?
Despite the claims that relationships are "great" and "life-affirming" I sometimes wonder if indeed the grass is greener on the other side, you know what I mean?

Heaven on Earth is kind of stinky

Whatever you do do not look out your window right now because chances are, if you live in Montreal like me then you are currently witnessing a snowstorm. My suggestion is to look at your computer screen and read the following:

Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa, a territory of the United States of America. Its 1990 population was 10,640. The city is located on Pago Pago Harbor, Tutuila. Tourism, government, and tuna canning are the primary industries. From 1878 to 1951, this was a coaling and repair station for the U.S. Navy.

A portion of the docks at Fagatogo in Pago Pago Harbor. In the background is the Rainmaker (Pioa Mtn.)
The city is an interesting mixture of a "seedy" urban area with infamously smelly tuna canneries (which provide employment for a third of the population of Tutuila), and a harbor surrounded by dramatic cliffs which plunge almost straight into the sea. A climb up to Mt Alava (see National Park of American Samoa) provides a magnificent bird's eye view of the harbor and town. Until 1980, one could experience the view from the peak by taking an aerial tramway over the harbor, but on April 14 of that year a US Navy plane, flying overhead as part of the Flag Day celebrations, struck the cable, the plane then crashing into a wing of the Rainmaker Hotel. The tram remains unusable to this day, although according to Lonely Planet, plans have been put forth to reopen it. Less spectacular, but worth the drive, is the view from the top of the pass above Aua Village on the road to Afono.
Pago Pago is actually but one of several villages along the shore of the harbor and is located at the very back (inside) of the embayment. However, because the name Pago Pago is associated with the harbor itself—the only significant port of call in American Samoa—Pago Pago is now generally applied to the harbor area and the capital. Thus, both the port itself and the legislature of American Samoa—known as the Fono (/ˈfoʊnoʊ/)—are located in Fagatogo, a village that is adjacent to (and for all practical purposes indistinguishable from) Pago Pago. Similarly, the once famous Rainmaker Hotel (now closed) is located in the village of Utule‘i, adjacent to Fagatogo along the south shore of the long harbor. The canneries are located in Atu‘u on the harbor north shore.

I've got a cold.

Personally, I blame the weather in Mtl.
I mean honestly, one day it's 3 degrees, the next it's minus freakin' 17. What's a girl to do? A girl gets a cold and flu and medicates herself heavily.
S w e e e e t.

Rockin' the Monday

After a nice relaxing weekend I am back at work and still enjoying it. (Surprise!) I am generally at my desk workin' the nine to five shift or walking around looking at our supplies. It may seem as though it's pretty easy and a monkey could do it but in fact I believe only a super-intelligent monkey could do it. There's so much to be in charge of, you know what I mean? In the past I have always worked with others to do it but now it's just little 'ol me and if something goes wrong well then it's just little ol' me that screwed up the order. We'll see how I respond.

Guy Candy: Ruckin' Sweet!

To usher in the brand spankin' new Super 14 2006 season I have decided to showcase some players.


1. Neil Powell, 29 yrs old.
Plays for the Bulls in Pretoria, SA


2. Tamati Ellison, 23 yrs old. (Yes Steffo, he's older than 20!)
Plays for the Hurricanes in Wellington, NZ


3. Peter Grant, 22 yrs old.
Plays for The Stormers in Cape Town

MMFA Exhibition. Who wants to come with?

Catherine the Great: Art for Empire.
In partnership with the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts presents Catherine the Great: Art for Empire. Masterpieces from the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg,from February 2 to May 7, 2006. This exhibition features more than 200 of the many treasures collected by the powerful and highly intelligent Empress Catherine II (1729-1796), arguably the eighteenth century’s greatest art collector and patron. Catherine believed in the political dimension of art and was convinced of her fundamental role in Russia’s social and cultural transformation. To illustrate the immense scope of her aspirations, the exhibition displays paintings, sculptures, furniture and decorative art objects. It also reveals her taste for classicism, which was new in Russia at the time. The snuff boxes in gold and precious stones, jewellery, cameos and intaglios that Catherine loved are displayed together, to re-create the Diamond Room, the Empress’s cabinet of precious objects in the Winter Palace. Many of these works of art and objects are being presented in North America for the first time; some have never before left the Hermitage.
Catherine’s dazzling coronation coach, exceptionally on loan from the Hermitage, is a highlight of the exhibition. It has travelled outside Russia only twice before: in 1991-1992 and in 1996. This is the last time it will be displayed abroad because of its fragile condition. The opulent coach was most likely commissioned by Peter the Great for the coronation ceremony of his wife, Catherine I.
Catherine the Great features major works of the eighteenth century commissioned, purchased or received by the Empress, including paintings and sculptures by Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Anton Raphael Mengs, Antoine Houdon, Angelica Kaufmann, Joseph Wright of Derby, Joshua Reynolds and Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, among others, as well as superb architectural drawings by Charles De Wailly, Charles-Louis Clérisseau, Jean-Louis Desprez and Charles Cameron. Among the furniture on display is a superb cylinder desk by the famous cabinet-maker David Roentgen. The exhibition also provides an opportunity to discover Russian artists and craftsmen. Various works and texts attest to Catherine’s relationships with some of the leading minds of her era, the Age of Enlightenment, such as Voltaire, Diderot and Grimm.
The exhibition is divided into five sections: Catherine of Russia, Philosopher Empress, Minerva of the North, Enlightened Patroness, Benefactress of the Arts and Manufactories. It delves into Catherine’s personality and legendary destiny and explores the ways in which she forged ties between Europe and Russia, simultaneously importing and encouraging the arts and cultural endeavours.

http://www.mmfa.qc.ca/forfaits/catherine/index_en.html

Mmm...Wine Country.

Franschhoek is a small town in the Western Cape Province and one of the oldest towns of the Republic of South Africa. The valley was originally settled in 1688 by French Huguenot refugees, many of whom were given land by the Dutch government in a valley called Oliphantshoek (Elephants Corner), so named because of the vast herds of elephants that roamed the area. The name of the area soon changed to Franschhoek (French Corner). Many of the settlers named their new farms after the areas in France from which they came. La Motte, La Cotte, Cabriere, Provence, Chamonix, Dieu Donne and La Dauphine were among some of the first established farms - most of which still retain their original farm houses. These farms have grown into regionally renowned wineries.
This heritage lives on today with the Huguenot monument standing proudly at the top of the village. The museum nearby chronicles the history of the first settlers, with each of the original Huguenot farms having its own fascinating story to tell.
The Cape Dutch architecture in much of the village is unspoiled with restrictions having been placed on the extent of renovations and new construction, to keep in the spirit of the original settlers to the area.
Once a sleepy country retreat, the village began experiencing a boom during the 1990's, which continues today. The construction of a new English Private School, Bridge House School, outside of the village attracted many urban dwellers to the village, and property prices began to soar.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What the...?

Wait, does anyone even know the Cyrillic or Greek alphabets? They're a little complicated but I've looked up the information for you to check them out.

You know, it's all Greek to me. Heh.

More Translations

Original sentence is "You suck".

French: Vous sucez

Dutch: U zuigt

German: Sie saugen

Greek: Απορροφάτε

Portuguese: Você suga

Italian: Succhiate

Russian: Вы всасываете

I love you Babelfish

My original sentence is "I am Lyndy, hear me roar."

Here are the translations:

French: Je suis Lyndy, m'entends hurler

Dutch: Ik ben Lyndy, hoor me gebrul

German: Ich bin Lyndy, höre mich zu brüllen

Greek: Είμαι Lyndy, με ακούω βρυχηθμός

Italian: Sono Lyndy, lo sento ruggire

Portuguese: Eu sou Lyndy, ouço-me rujir

Russian: Я буду Lyndy, слышу, что я реву

The Brilliance To Come

Hi peeps, seeing as today I am at reception for the entire duration (La receptioniste, she is sick!)I wanted to let you know that I will be posting a lot. There's nothing much to do here and although I have stuff to do I can't really do it from here so it's been put off until tomorrow. (Forced procrastination!)

I am now going to surf the web to find subjects of interest to share with you. Later.

Mine! Mine! Mine!

Guess what Gnomers? I am writing this post from my very own desk. It's pretty s w e e t after years of sharing my space with other people at work. People suck.

Later dudes.

The Jewel of KwaZulu-Natal

It seems like the perfect kind of day to discuss Durban.
Durban is a city in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa (29°53′S 31°03′E). It is also known by the Zulu word eThekwini, (the meaning of which is unclear, but most likely is "lagoon" from the word itheku, or "at the harbour", although other shadier theories have been put forward). Since 2000, a number of towns, including Durban, have been part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
Durban is being marketed as "South Africa's Playground". It has a population of about 3.1 million people with diverse cultures including a large Indian community making Durban the second largest city in South Africa.
While Johannesburg has embraced its new Afro-centric nature, and Cape Town has held on to its Euro-centric culture, Durban has emerged as an Ethno-centric city—a polyglot of Eastern, Western and African cultures, each of which give Durban a distinctly unique flavour.
Durban is primarily a "holiday city"/beach resort, but at the same time is Africa's busiest container port and has a substantial industrial sector. The port is one of the world's largest natural deep water ports.
The long continuous stretch of hotels that line the city's beachfront is known as Durban's Golden Mile.
Places of interest:
-The Golden Mile
-Roma Revolving Restaurant, similar to London's Post Office Tower (although smaller in scale), is a prominent building from the port with, as the name suggests, a rotating circular restaurant room that provides 360 degree views of the city, but it is sadly dated.
-The International Convention Centre (ICC)
-The port and waterfront, Beachfront, City Hall, Durban Horse Race Course, Berea, Umhlanga Rocks.
-The BAT centre
-The new aquarium, Durban's Aquarium - uShaka Marine World, one of the largest Aquariums in the world.
-Sahara Stadium Kingsmead is a major test match and one-day cricket venue.
-Kings Park Stadium(Now known as ABSA Stadium) is host to the Internationally renowned Sharks Rugby Team. Known for its post match entertainment.
-Outside of the city centre is the Valley of a Thousand Hills a dramatic geographical rock formation created by the Mngeni River and its tributaries.

*Feel free to daydream about sandy beaches and warm skies.

Pretoria: The Jacaranda City

Ah Pretoria, home of the Blue Bulls and the Bulls.

Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive (administrative) capital; the other two being Cape Town and Bloemfontein, respectively the legislative and judicial capitals. It is contained in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, and therefore sometimes incorrectly referred to as Tshwane — this contentious issue is still being decided as of January 2006; see the discussion further down in this article.
The city has a population of approximately one million (or two million if the whole of the Tshwane metropolitan area is included). The main languages spoken in Pretoria include Tswana, Ndebele, Afrikaans, and English,
Pretoria is one of South Africa's leading academic cities, and it is home to both the largest residential university in the country (the University of Pretoria) and the largest distance education university (the University of South Africa, more commonly known by its initials, UNISA). The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is also located in this city.
Interesting facts
-Pretoria's main street, Church Street, is the longest urban street in South Africa and one of the longest straight streets in the world.
-Many of the city's streets are lined with Jacaranda trees that blossom mauve (purplish blue) in spring, giving rise to the city's nickname "Jacaranda City".
-The Cullinan Diamond (the largest gem diamond ever found) was discovered in the town of Cullinan near Pretoria at the Premier Mine on January 26, 1905.
-Pretoria has the second largest number of embassies in the world after Washington, D.C..
-Pax Praetoriana was named after Pretoria.

Copyright (C) 2000,2001,2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
http://en.wikipedia.org

Het Suikergoed van het oog

All those words roughly translate into "Eye Candy" in Dutch, or so Babelfish tells me.


1. Carter Oosterhouse


2. Ty Pennington


3. Paul McElligott

They're all carpenters so one would assume they're good with their hands. Whatever that means. Or something, I don't know, it's a little early for me.

The Angry Cyber Traveller

I have noticed that I haven't really been posting any pictures of late so I am starting a new weekly ritual of sharing with you pictures of places I would like to visit or that vaguely amuse me. As some of you know or may have noticed, I have an inexplicable love-affair with South Africa so I have chosen a lovely overhead vista of Cape Town as the first in the series. She's lovely, isn't she? No one really knows where the love comes from, not even the AG herself but alas, what are you gonna do? Here are some interesting tidbits for you:

Cape Town (Afrikaans Kaapstad), city in southwestern South Africa, the legislative capital of the country and the capital of Western Cape province. Cape Town is one of three national capitals, along with Pretoria (the executive capital) and Bloemfontein (the judicial capital). It is situated at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula, about 50 km (about 30 mi) north of the Cape of Good Hope. The city has a spectacular setting, cradled by the steep slopes of Table Mountain to the south, Devil’s Peak to the southeast, Lion’s Head to the southwest, and Signal Hill to the west. Table Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, lies to the northwest. The site of the first European settlement in South Africa (founded in 1652), Cape Town is today a major port, an industrial hub, and a center of culture and tourism. The city has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
"Cape Town," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Interesting word this is

You know what is a funny word? Spelunking. Now I just have to find relevance of it in my life so I can use it more frequently.

New setting

Hi y'all, greetings from Nicholl Paskell-Mede. I am here for a week trial and then if they want me I suppose I will start full-time in early March. So far, so good. It's a pretty laid-back environment here, despite the fact that it's a law firm but I think it depends on what kind of law they specialize in and in NPM's case, it's the exciting world of insurance law. Oooh indeed.
I am now at reception alone and I don't feel freaked out at all, it's really just another console and honestly, after SS, nothing can be that bad. Anyhoo, the phones aren't ringing so it's been relatively slow but at least I have the internet, which I am pretty psyched about because now I can write to you all often. And with feeling.

Snow: God's Idea of Tidying Up?

In the past I have tried not to complain too much about snow because it's pretty, makes MTL look clean and also gives me the traction I need to walk the treacherous side-streets. I don't know what it is but when there is a substantial snowfall I just get a warm and cuddly feeling and I suppose it reminds me of my childhood in Noyan where snow always meant snowball fights, ice skating on the lake in front of the house and warm beverages next to the fire.

Quite idyllic, actually.

P.S. I know some of you may be wondering when Guy Candy will resurface in 2006 and I wanted to let you know that there are plans to revive the weekly tradition but I am currently still researching the candidates. It's a tireless search but oh what I won't do for my dedicated Gnomers :P
What do you think of carpenters? There seems to be quite a large pool of Guy Candy worthy men in the profession. Keep your eyes open for updates.

My Office Space

... Looks a lot like my living room.

So I have been working from home the last couple of days and it's a w e s o m e. I must say, it really works for me, I like the independence and that fact that my bed is just upstairs for power naps. Unfortunately, I do believe the work will be finshed by tomorrow which means I will have to go back dowtown but for now I am basking in the freedom of the situation. Oh, ok - I admit it, I also relishing the napping hours.

Is Kiwi a Dave Chappelle or Seinfeld fan?

Do animals have a sense of humour?

Yeah, I was wondering that earlier today when I did something kinda stupid which made me chuckle to myself. I then began to wonder if Kiwi, who had witnessed the scene thought it was funny too and had an internal dialogue much like this: "God, she is such an idiot... Heh."

Does anyone have any information on this subject or do I have to get out more? I'm gonna go with the latter but I can't be the only one who has ever thought about it so there must be studies out there.

Thanks from the AG: Straight from the heart.

God, I hate Bryan Adams.

A n y h o o, I just wanted to take a moment to thank the kind Gnomers who came out for by birthday on Saturday night and for all who couldn't come or "forgot", y'all can chew on some glass.

Here are some thoughts on the evening:

-Steffo you were in fine form and I'm sorry he didn't call, we'll work on it and if it comes to it, I know people who know people, if you know what I mean.

-Scott you were all up in my grill but at least you got me Zoolander. Ahem. Gee, I wonder how it ends?

-The lovely Miss C, it was nice to see you again although I wasn't too psyched to learn I was going to die at seventy.

-Mr. Muddler, I was honoured that you came to my little get-together and if we haven't emotionally scarred you too much there's an open invitation to all of our sporiadic get-togethers, I think you're "good people". Not at all like your naughty sister.

Seriously though, thanks for all the birthday wishes - maybe twenty-nine won't be so bad afterall!

The date, time and place!

January 14th.
7pm - ish
The Old Orchard Pub on Monkland in NDG.

Be there or be square.

*All friendly Gnomers are cordially invited to drop by for a Happy Birthday pint. I'll probably eat something there so feel free to stay for dinner. The more the merrier!

AG's Path to Enlightenment

I have come to the conclusion that the path to true happiness in one's life is not nirvana or religious rhetoric but rather to live each and every day slightly drunk. Case in point, today I wasn't having such a great day, as Mondays tend to be, but in the afternoon my brother called me for an important "meeting" at the Old Orchard Pub and then the day wasn't so bad. I generally don't condone drinkng on a Monday afternoon but after today all I can really say is "Why the hell not?" I mean really, if raging alcoholism is the only way I can be interesting and oh-so-witty then why not devote the rest of my life to pints and pubs? I can honestly say that I am not that interesting sober.

Oh, and by they way, anyone who is up for it may join me in my debauchery this weekend to celebrate by twenty-nith year on this planet. All invited. Woo-woo!

* I just want to clarify that although I wrote that I wasn't interesting sober I didn't mean that I wasn't all that. Because I am. Plus a box of cracker Jacks. Anyhoo, I think I believe what I meant to say is that I'm more interesting when I'm slightly toasted which is, I know, totally unfair to all those who suck because they aren't me.

Singledom vs. Online Dating

I've mentioned it before but just to recap for those who don't read my blog regularly or don't know how to access the archives (either consult with the all-knowing Muddler or you know, go to right of this page and click), I have entered the world of online dating and despite the favourable responses I have recieved from it, I just don't feel totally comfortable. I don't know what it is exactly, on paper it seems like the perfect thing for me, as I am generally shy and reserved in person when meeting strangers but, to me at least, it seems kind of unnatural to shop around for potentials, you know what I mean? I feel guilty for not responding to people so I answer all emails and then find myself in the awkward situation of having to correspond with men I have no intention of dating.
Anyhoo, although I know I have to take more of a proactive role in my love-life it has been experience that for the most part when we look for love it's gone out for coffee so I say "Take your time man, I'll be here blogging". Besides, I don't date well, I'm too aloof. I grow on people like ivy or a fungus. A loveable fungus. To know me is to love me.
You know, on the topic of online dating can I just recommend the Onion personals as well as Lemontonic? I freely admit to not liking Lavalife, the site is too, I don't know, red. Plus, since they have that Instant Messenger thing it always takes my computer forever to load the page. I like sites that are simple to use and that I get interesting responses from so Lemontonic has been a good choice. I also thought that anyone who uses the Onion's personals has to have read The Onion so at least we've got a sence of humour in common to start from.

Peace out and remember this wise advice some guy on the street once gave me:
"He who is cold must remember to wear mittens."

Twenty-nine 'till I die.

As my twenty-ninth birthday is just around the corner I have come to the decision that it is the age I will publicly acknowledge for the next decade. I thought you Gnomers should know because any breach of information about my true age down the road will result in a vicious neckslap and a "shut your face". You know, FYI and everything.

Lamenting the loss of Muffin

Despite all my best efforts, Muffin will be leaving to work at another site. Here is a Haiku I wrote:

Ah, Muffin, away you shall go
Do not, do not get stuck in the snow.

Lies and Deception

Yeah, I was asked by my manager last night to do some overtime and as I am a dunce par excellence I agreed to it. This is the scenario, I woke up at came into work for 9am and then I worked it and did my thang. After work I went to my first class that lasted from 6-8:25 and then I walked back from the Hall building to start the job. When I agreed to the job I thought it was just straight on copying but as I browsed through the boxes I realized there were countless envelopes which were filled with reciepts. Apparently, there were people being audited and now I was copying their expenses for the last fifteen years. Ugh. Needless to say, a job that I was told would take me three hours maximum took me NINE hours. I was so tired and angry when I left at 3am this morning I felt like slapping the next person I saw but alas, it was not meant to be as the first person was a large security guard.

Much Ado About Something.

Yesterday on MPix they aired Twelf Night and Much Ado About Nothing and I have to say, although I have seen them both before, I watched them again and thorougly enjoyed them. If I were forced to choose between them both I guess I would have to say Twelf Night is the better film. Solely on the merits of Toby Stephens and his lovely eyebrows.

After the holidays...

...And I need to go back on vacation! Honestly.
I hope you all had a nice time over the holiday season and are looking forward to 2006! I know I am. Kind of. Well, not really but mostly because we're selling the condo and I need to find a new place to live in May. If there are any of you out there who know of places that are available, please contact me. I need all the help I can get.