Lana: The Hack, and Post-Wedding Blue

"Oh, you got your hair cut... in that style... what do they call it? ... Uneven?" ~ Andrea's Mom regarding... yeah, my haircut

Instead of a staying at home and taking a nap as a reasonable person would have on a Sunday afternoon, I took my restless self downtown. While wandering through Churchill Square I came across a wood sculpture in progress. Or in other words - a large piece of tree (estimating 1.5 m in diameter and 6 m long) sitting on blocks among lots and lots of wood shavings. And, so for the next hour, I became aquainted with this piece of wood.

It smelled funny, not like the forest smells that I would have imagined a tree to smell like - and it felt strange, and spongey to the touch. I was able to rip pieces off with my fingers. Corolla (yes, like the car) told me that they were taking off all the moldy bits to get to the good wood. This piece of tree had been sitting in someone's backyard for over 13 years before the Northern Alberta Wood Carvers Association had taken it for use. And from there I took a crowbar and (quite ungracefully) started working on the wood. I pulled and dug away at veins of mold, and bark, and came across worms, and little green plants.

More interesting was how many people who came by to ask what we were doing. And some of the complaints we got. Corolla started describing the sculpture as a "totem pole" with children climbing over each other. One gentleman was very adamant that if it was not created by Aboriginal peoples, then she couldn't call it a totem pole. Another person came by and asked us why we were carving the wood - he liked it as it was, especially when "with all our technology, we could not create anything like this" (i.e. what nature had created). The majority though were just curious, came by to ask questions, and stepped in to help with a couple of swings / shavings.

They'll be in Churchill Square for the rest of the week working on it. Hopefully finding that the wood underneath is usable.

The whole process was very calming and helped to improve my mood. Destroying things makes one feel better - I hope it doesn't pick up. Restless, and a bit sad? From the wedding? Well, things turned out really well.

Friday, my day off, I met up with Natalie (the other bridesmaid) and the families to decorate the hall. Some of the people there could really curl a mean ribbon. Marie and I wrapped streamers around the pillars and discussed Terry Pratchett (so what exactly was all that "maypole" symbolism business that he alludes to?) I then got a ride in Natalie's "Blue Baby" a Mercury Marquis boat of a car over to a dinner party to meet more of the groom's side of the family. Aunt Shirley was very hospitable, and she collects garden gnomes! While eating I found out from Andrea (from her psych ward experiences): Florridly Psychotic = Bloomin' Mad *laugh*

We were on a tight schedule, so the wedding party rushed off to the church for the rehearsal after eating. By this time I was again half falling asleep... when I woke up I realised what a "blonde" I had been. Who wouldn't have guessed that St. Basil's church was the church in front of St. Basil's Cultural Centre (where many a UADC function is held)? Anyway, the inside is lovely.

We ran through the ceremony 3 times (not quite as precise as Formation Team, but also very chereographed). Nathan, Andrea's 4 year old god-son, was the icon bearer - and a complete handful! After running circles around me and knocking me with his head (hm... de ja vu with Kevin...), he looks up at me and asks, "So are you a kid or a grown up? You're not very big." Uh huh.

There was very little sleeping that night (about 4 hours). And as a result... much of Andrea and Bob's big day was a blur. I just remember it feeling more like 3 or 4 days packed into one. There was getting ready (hair, makeup, clothes); the church ceremony - it so beautiful, I was crying; Pictures, and more pictures (at the Legislature no less, where we competed with high school grads and other wedding parties for the best spots); and then dinner... and dancing (again more interpretative shuffling and jumping).

After dinner were the speeches. I spoke, and Andrea gave me a hug and said "That's the shortest speech I've ever heard at a wedding." I'm guessing that's good :) The speeches from the parents almost brought me to tears, and the "He said / She said" rendition of how Bob & Andrea met had me and the rest of the guests laughing.

Oh, and for a short while the guests were gathered around this tiny television set up for cartoons for the kids, to watch - yes, the hockey game.

Short Week

Song stuck in Head: Blue Parade ~ Sarah Slean
Recent Triumphs: Stayed asleep until the alarm, restricted stalking behaviour to a minimum, moved 2 files off my desk
Peoples birthday today: Miles D. Davis, Archduke Ferdinand, Frank Oz, Anne Heche... Catherine

After talking to Catherine and Darren last night, I bar danced with myself to the songs from the "What a Girl Wants" soundtrack. Another movie that I will not see, but from which I will enjoy the music. And I guess it was more like interpretative dance... and maybe not by myself... depending if there was anyone looking in through the window *suspicious glances*. Either way, it felt so good! More signs of me missing dance... and I can hardly wait for Sunday for the dance workshop.

Chris had laughed when I said that I had to cram 5 days of work into my 3 day work week (no work tomorrow - booked it off for decorating and wedding rehearsal). The stress of that situation was still there, but I don't know if I actually produced as required. So tempting to throw it all into a bonfire... hm... Will think about it when I get back on Monday. First must focus on Andrea's wedding! But still many, many available distractions.

On Tuesday there was another hockey game (and I guess there's one starting soon tonight). Chris and I listened to the last half an hour in his car while doing a stake-out in front of Tom's building. Confirming that I would not be a good stake-out person (running out of patience, needing to go to the bathroom, spilling various food items on myself), I asked to go home. The goal was to sleep! But ended up getting caught up in another book. I am now in the middle of three *blush*

One of these is The Etiquette Grrls - More Things You Need to Be Told: A guide to Good Taste and Proper Comportment in a Tacky, Rude World. Yes, a very good title, and fun to read. I'm sure I'd be learning lots if my memory wasn't disappearing on me... and um... if they didn't have certain disagreeable stances. Are they snobs? They claim bicycles to be *gasp* "vastly overrated". Their idea of "Good Taste"... highly subjective. And they use way too many capitalizations! But I can see this giving me a good kick-in-the-butt reminder to write thank you notes... and not to answer my cell phone during a funeral (good idea).

Time to go home. Umbrellas are cool. And if I haven't made it clear: Happy Birthday, Catherine!

pickle, chicken, accordion, octogenarian... Funny words with K sounds...

Ice cream isn't having the effect that I wanted. Why is it that people can drown their sorrows in food? I just have too many expectations from junk food. I should have known.

Eating cake and coffee on Friday at work would mean not being able to enjoy the cake and coffee at Rem's Friday Feast. And it was a great affair. He made a yin-yang cake for Meaghan's birthday. Where white chocolate and milk chocolate cake and icing were balanced in perfect harmony. Despite the stomach ache, still sampled a little of each side before heading home - avoiding the hockey hotspots (yes, the Oilers won... but we don't have scream about it!) Ben then told me that it's a well known fact that words with the K sound are funny... hm... well-known? Much thinking on the sidewalk again... *sigh*

This was the weekend that I was supposed to be in Calgary to attend a wedding ('tis the season) but was then asked not go... no complaints. It means I get to spend some time writing about that other Calgary trip... yeah, that one from 2 months ago... you remember, the dance competition? Here's: Love from Calgary

Staying in town also meant I was available to spend some more time with Andrea preparing for her wedding, going to Jaclyn's 18th birthday party, and watching Buffy with Rem and Steph.

Oh, and sleep :) Well... almost sleep.

Spring can really hang you up the most...

My mother made the sign of the cross and took a white-knuckled grip on the paring knife. "I hate when you blow up cars!" she said. "How am I suppposed to sleep at night knowing I have a daughter who blows up cars?"

"You could try drinking," Grandma said. "That always works for me. Nothing like a good healthy snort before bedtime."

~ Janet Evanovich, Ten Big Ones

Lidia might be trying to set me up with her son. In the last week she's shown me so many pictures of Matt, that I'm led to think that she does has plans for me. Not saying that he's not cute, but my tastes of late have been leaning to the extra tall crowd. What can I say? It's a funny visual, and it's always about the photos. :D In the meantime, I've also received advice from Carol (the one who freaked us on the TA evaluations by writing a poem about eyes... and how the TAs are always, always watching her every move), that I should wear high-heels and "shake that ass". *pause* Lovely...

Everyone seems to be watching hockey, talking about hockey... what about Jazz? This past week was also Jazz week at the Power Plant. Darren and I managed to lure a small crowd on Wednesday to see the River City Big Band. But... well, let's just say while there was a small correlation between cheering and clapping with the jazz solos, there was a much larger correlation between such behaviour and the Oilers vs. Sharks game. No determinable causal effect... of course :P

During intermission, I pulled out Catherine's violet candies - made in France, brought back from Germany, and travelling in my bookbag for over 6 months. Here was the verdict:

Clarence: I feel scientifically sexy.
Erik: I feel like invading, and being invaded at the same time.
Rem: Hm... anisse..

Overall the event was a lot of fun. Interesting / never heard before arrangements that got me thinking, and latin beats that got us dancing (thanks, Clarence for the salsa).

In other news, it's time for Corporate Challenge! It's been years since I played / volunteered for the CRA team, and this year I um... yes, joined U of A's "Spirit Team". *blush* "Rah-rah!" Say I. Sarah's signed up too!

As for the upcoming long weekend and cool activities - there's Party in the Park for Community Day 2006. Hawrelak Park from 12-4 p.m. this Saturday, 20-MAY-2006. Live local bands, local artist art gallery, family games... sand castle building (beach in Alberta?!)... all in support of Community Leagues, and Community involvement (not sure if that should be capitalised...) Now, if I wasn't working on more wedding stuff, I'd be there.

Happy long weekend, peoples :)

For a good time call...

Tiffany.

Not even a week since I last wrote. In my head it feels like two.

Somewhere in this time I tuned into CBC and the voice told me that closing my eyes was not required, and not recommended if I was driving. This was followed by dead air. What was going on? They were teaching how to meditate on the radio! What luck! CBC comes through for me again (last time they did a timely program on salt). Would have been most helpful, if they had not said it was about "becoming comfortable with silence"... seems scarier / worse than Alanis Morissette's "All I Really Want". And for that, probably the best argument for me to learn.

At this point I was not specifically seeking distractions - I had many for the weekend. Missed Friday Feast to play the part of "good daughter" and had dinner with Mom for Mother's Day. This didn't stop a chance encounter with Stephanie in which she slipped me Tiffany's number - but I didn't call - still being stubborn about not moving out. After dinner headed over to visit with Celina and Kevin a bit. Celina is a genius. (Yes, I'm biased, but she is at least very bright.) My head was full of dread for the next day: How to get 25 grown women to have fun at a bridal shower - Andrea's bridal shower? I was obviously over-thinking things again. When posed with the same question, she quite simply said "Stickers, music, cake, presents, and games." Sounds like a good plan to me. I can put those things together. A little more relaxed, Celina, Kevin, and I proceeded to play blind-folded Pictionary. They thought up really good words... I drew better.

Saturday was Andrea's shower. Woke up extra early to pick up the basics for such an event: economy pack of toilette paper ("Made in Canada", I was so proud), pipe cleaners, streamers, and yes, stickers! And things fell nicely into place.

O.k. despite Celina's tips, I still had no confidence in how to keep the guests entertained, but they took care of it themselves. And I was surprised - they were totally engrossed in the toilette paper wedding dress game (design, make and model and wedding dress with the supplies provided). Wish I had pictures. The teams went all out using the coloured streamers for accessories and detailing... People had fun. And Andrea looked the most relaxed I've seen her in months. *big smile* My heart melted in seeing her so happy.

My Sunday goal: Sleep, sleep, sleep. But it didn't quite work that way. Between not sleeping and allergies, my body had decided it was no longer happy enough to stay asleep even when allowed to do so. And there was the whole "make sure Mom doesn't lift a finger for Mother's Day" thing. This was surprisingly good - I finally got to wash dishes! It was a such a gorgeous day. Relaxed and tried not to think for most of it - but circumstances made me miss the salsa dance workshop. Next week... next week back to training. Really.

Post Modern Math - it's "Splendsmartiful"

Changes from ergonomics assessment still intact: Less than 60 %
Number of minutes watching hockey last night: 0
Times locked out of own office today: 1

Maybe all mathematicians should start crocheting. Catherine mentioned that she recently read in Discovery magazine an article on math formulae / models being represented in crochet. And it turns out there are more people out there doing the exact same thing. Pretty cool.

I however, will continue to work on my “Journalistic photography style”. Andrea relayed to me that one particular wedding photographer was keen on this. She however, was not. This would be extent of the photographs: "Here’s a picture the bride's maids getting ready... this is one of Andrea dressing… and this is one is of Andrea throwing something at the photographer…"

Glad to say that people last night weren't so into throwing things. Malcolm held a surprise gathering at his place. Surprise... well to me... and whoever was "under-informed" of the event. I started off the night with a glass of red... and made a face… Malcolm called me a wine snob… was almost proud of that fact until Ben said that only means I’m an expert in whining. Lovely musical highlights - Rufus Wainwright (which after 2 glasses of wine I was having much trouble pronouncing), Hawksley Workman, and the... um... "... Singers".

Anyway, here are scenes from the very fun dinner. Thank you Malcolm!

Pictures I wish I caught: French bread dueling, hiding things into Steph's zippered pocket, the street lamps reminicent of Singing in the Rain, Steph's finger-wagging, the whole cast together, the sound of the glasses clinking, the cat.

Not much more to say than it's beautiful outside. Here I go.

Cordially Cryptic

"Is this vegan? ... vegan dishes should come with warnings..." ~ Stephen, at Friday Feast regarding Stephanie's always special brownies

Monday again - this time the edible underpants did make an appearance. After Michael's boss told us last week he has resigned, there's been an underground movement in making cake, signing cards, and tracking down said underpants. It was a good gathering - I'm hoping the pictures turn out. Batteries. Must carry more charged batteries.

It was another busy weekend starting off with Friday Feast. We toasted to the summer return of Stephen and Meaghan. Pleasant evening chatting away and catching up on what's been going on. A bit of "shop talk" between Michael and Stephen: working with Gouche was compared to "painting with plaster of paris". Allergies were awful again, but some how the port and brownies helped... along with Yo-Yo Ma's argentine tango album.

Rainy Saturday... at least there was Marty Chan. Stephanie has been raving about the new board member for YABS. He also happened to launch his second book last Saturday at Greenwoods. My first time to attend a book launch. Marty was great! He read the first chapter to "Mystery of the Graffiti Ghoul". Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves. I was close to thinking that he was channeling my mother in the book... but it could just very well be that frugal Chinese mom's are the same everywhere. Didn't buy the book... though very tempted... spent my "splurge" money on "Seven Lively Sins"... figured that self-help was more important at the moment... couldn't hurt if it endorsed a happy life through little bit of sinning.

Spent the afternoon with Stephanie and Anne at "The MAW", as coined by Steph. Swimsuit season is apon us! While taking a break Anne reflected from our hackish estimations that there were twice as many people in the mall than the population of Rocky Mountain House. Yikes. Yes, it was crowded, but I was having a lot of fun. Had to pull away to meet up with the TAs for a private viewing of the Top Hat performance (version 1). Peter's condo complex had a mini theatre that we used to our advantage. The special hidden scenes were the best. There was a special practice version with D&D walking through our moves (hopefully not a commentary)... final pose was with Dominic jumping into the arms of Dexter. Also featuring behind the scenes footage of the guys and girls dressing rooms. Can hardly wait to get a copy of the final version.

Oops, rambling again, time to go home for dinner.

N.B. Happy Anniversary Shauna & Jesse!

White on Rice...

Christiana left yesterday for a month long jaunt to Europe. We had a farewell gathering for her at our bubble tea place of choice, Dream Tea House, Wednesday. This is where I was introduced to "White on rice" and other wonderful sayings. We pondered deep questions such as: How many people do you have to know in an organization to start getting some perks? For example Darren and AMA - He has 2 friends who work there now, how many more before he can get a free AMA membership? Maybe he should start a stamp card? And for all of you out there who want a "Research Make Sense" pin (yes a big perk!) all you have to know is me, and ask. (*big smile* such a happy pun). Pib's lessons in Cantonese are starting to pay off, he impressed us all with a couple of phrases. Amber brought back mini Lifesaver mints in "Grace-proof" packaging. Some time in the night, Christiana promised a postcard "To Vienna from Vienna"; we made fun of Hans; and after consuming "Loverworld", "SweetLove" and other bubble conconctions we said good night.

It's getting close to wedding season. Met up with Marie, Natalie, and Andrea last night to have a final fitting for the bridesmaid dresses. We ate ice cream and cookies for dinner (got to make sure those dresses still fit after a big meal :P) and chatted about summer, sleepless nights in hostels, and of course the wedding. Only 3 more weeks until Andrea and Bob's big day. I think she's still in shock since before then she still has to write a med school exam (I've forgotten which one). Andrea's getting married (teary eyed)... and I have to write a toast! *ack*

Very glad again that it's Friday. My quest for more sleep starts again - after Friday Feast. Off I go!

Oh, almost forgot! CBC's Quirks and Quarks is visiting Edmonton! Let your inner science geek free and come to watch the live taping on 01-JUN-2006. Until then, you still have a couple of weeks to ask your deep rooted science-y questions. Email them to quirks@cbc.ca. The top ten will be picked and answered that night.

The Education of Monica Gall

"... people who mind their own business die of boredom at thirty..."

~ Robertson Davies, A Mixture of Frailties

Another big gap since my last entry. In between, the Oilers have beat that other team from Detroit (of course I pay attention to hockey...), Vocal Alchemy had their spring concert (All's Fair: Songs of Love and War) in which one finds that swallows are important elements of love songs and the true meaning of all those "Fa-la-las" in madrigals, and I meet up with friends from High School.

It's been years. These people whom I spent countless hours hanging out in the hallways of McNally - were my best friends in grade 12. We played badminton together, took classes together... and even had soup delivered to us in double math. Ah, such crazy fun times. But come first / second year University we split up to different faculties. And I was horrible with keeping touch. But Jackie kept inviting me to these gatherings. And this time, I go. Come Saturday, we (Wil, Jackie, Annissa, Pierre, Jared and I) meet at Jared's and head to Sherwood Park for sushi. We contemplated the proper way to eat (they give you dish with 3 separate compartments)... and then just ate. We sampled both the "Oiler Maki" and "Sherwood Park roll" and wondered why they were called such. Capping off the night we returned to Jared's and watched an espisode of "Galsa - Gal Circle" a Japanese mini-series / drama / (comedy?) that involves a Japanese cowboy who grew up in Arizona. He returns to Japan with the mission of finding this girl... all the while getting tangled up with members of the Angel Hearts (girl runaways that have banded together to para para dance), and the one 1 police person in the whole city... and... um... does this sound like anime? :P Well, we were thinking of it as live-action anime - with subtitles. And a little like the Mikado... what Japanese people thought Arizona cowboys and indians should act.

It was a fun night and I realised how few things sometimes change: (Aside from Siao Hui) we were all still single; most of us were still living at home; and video / computer games were still the main topic of discussion. All in all, these were still nice people to be with. Do I seem different to them? A Mixture of Frailties has been making me think again about what moving on, and growing up is about.

Sunday was the UADC volunteer brunch. Yum. I won't elaborate on the menu. Just have it be known that I ate enough in the one meal to not want to eat for the rest of the day. I'm sure my sentiments were echoed by many others. As we fell into "food comas", we headed home. My only tasks for the remainder of the day (this time the sin of sloth) was to relax and play with 2 very energetic and sweet dogs (Taiga and Solei), at some point pose as a barber (my incompetence duly noted), and start reading Freakonomics. Which is fairing out to be both interesting and funny... though not laugh out loud fun as Anne's theory of financial management.

Monday and Tuesday was the return to the reality of work. The big boss (who didn't eat the underpants) resigned, and I have become a teacher. Well... a trainer. All I know is that I can't explain my job worth beans - but now I have to. Hope I didn't confuse / scare off the lady from Accountemps. This is where the whole being "Abstract Random in a Concrete Sequential world" is working against me. But we did survive the first day, and she said she'd be back tomorrow.

Must head home for dinner. Over 1000 Hits! Thank you peoples :)