From the Annotative, Analytical Peanut Gallery...

One closet, three advisors, and Movie Night!

"You've got a nice butt, you should show it off." Erik had just stepped out in Outfit #1, and Steph, had said what the rest of us were thinking but weren't going to say ;) We'd met up a little early for Movie Night to witness and judge the collection that was Erik's closet, via Fashion Show.

Michael and Rem had taken root on the couch and mostly ignored us by playing a video game. So, it was up to the three of us to help cull Erik's closet and watch him walk the catwalk (from bedroom door to almost the kitchen). Who were we? Steph was the "classical". Kirsten "the modern". I was the one who throws together some crazy combinations and see what happens.

I was kind of hoping for a Sex in the City Movie moment / montage with us holding up placards of Take / Toss (or in this case, Keep / Toss), but it was just as easy to be vocal. We said no to the white belt, yes to the red shirt, what-the-heck-that's-traumatising to the shiny pants. Other looks and pieces met up with mixed reviews. I think the best part (aside from taking the pins out of shirts :P) was dreaming up some of the situations / scenerios where the different looks could work (you know, like I do with my wardrobe).

Anyway, it did come time to start the movie. After a bit of discussion of whether subtitled or English-dubbed was better, we watched Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind from Rem's Miyazaki collection. With fashion still on the brain, I wondered out loud why the protagonist was bare-legged and wearing a mini-skirt when she wore gloves and her entire face had been covered to prevent contamination? The answer: those are flesh-tone tights - ah... I understand. By the end of the movie I was thinking how apt the message (the need to protect the environment) was now, and how this was so much ahead of its time (1984) at least to most Canadians. Also the la-la-la-la-la song was in my head, so I danced around a bit. Though normally I'd disagree, Kirsten was right (for this movie): bugs can be cute.

(Note to Erik: New black pants!)

A Sunday Full

We meet at the Edmonton Queen Pier. It was early Sunday morning (10 a.m.) and I'm sure we all would have wanted to stay in bed a little longer. But Kathy (right) and Neil had thought of everything (in their trunk: gloves, garbage bags, drinks and snacks) to get us through the morning and our section of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup - including for me, a camera! (On loan of course - see what it was able to do!)


Minutes into the cleanup, I was having more fun than working. It was a beautiful day, and despite the fact we were looking for and finding garbage, what I saw still seemed very beautiful: Blue sky, golden leaves, pieces of coloured glass, fishing wire and fly entangled with branches to look like berries, a bicycle... actually more than one a bicycle and other pieces of equipment.

We called out our finds so that the items could be logged. It soon became very apparent that there were many (littering) smokers in the area.

Other finds:

The interesting: Detour sign on the edge of river
The Ugly / Disturbing: Plastic bags, rubber tires, Tim Horton's cups collected between large rocks, a waterlogged leather jacket

We took away what we could, separated into what could be recycled and what couldn't. With our job done, we all headed out for naps... or at least that was what I was tempted to do.

Actually, what Joe and I did was go with Kathy and Neil to find food and visit the Valley Zoo. It was Free Attractions day, so it seemed like a good chance to see the animals for free. Unfortunately, a lot of other people had the same idea. The car inched its way towards the parking lot streets away. When we got there, our first "animal" encounter were guniea pigs. Over 30 of them were in a large pen surrounded by a low fence. I laughed at one in particular who had crazy rockstar hair (but was not able to catch it on camera). Onward we went seeing birds that looked stuffed (though they did blink eventually), and adult red pandas that seemed to flow from place to place.

"Look he's eating like a man!" ~ Joe

I loved watching the monkeys: A baby black one a white face clung to a large white teddy bear; Others ate, and watched us watching them. A tent had been set up too to diplay animal pelts and bones.

When Kathy and Neil dropped us off (along with the bicycle wheel Joe recovered for a project), I was really ready for that nap. Instead, Joe played Tom Waits's Alice on his (slightly warped)turntable. Golden light streamed in from the windows, making the hardwood floor glow. I was barefoot, and we danced in the hallway. Well, I had to dance, he just held on.

Later we watched another video - a subtitled affair with a family from Hong Kong immigrating to Australia before the 1997 return to China. It was neat to see some familiar faces and to hear Cantonese spoken in a movie (it's been a while). I even learned a couple new words / phrases. I don't think Joe understood why I thought it was so funny (cultural differences?), but we both ended up agreeing that the box had played up the encounter with a kangaroo / almost boxing scene too much.

Playing Piano to the Ox, and Feast!

"You have to respect a man with a big zucchini." ~ Rem


After moving some dirt for Mom and playing cards, Jack, Kevin, Celina, and I are waiting to head out for dinner. We're sitting in the living room reading: Jack, a magazine, Kevin and Celina, Naruto manga from the library, and me, Carlos Ruiz Zafón's The Shadow of the Wind. Celina asks me about mine.


Well... It starts off with the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and then the protagonist, Daniel Sempere, is chosen by a book, then years pass and there's a big bit of love story, and a big mystery - why are all the books by the same author (as Daniel's book) being destroyed? And who's doing it?!


I end with a flourish of arms, all excited and energised. "You mean you like reading books about books?" Celina looks at me as though I've lost my mind. "Um... yes?" I decide not to tell her I thought the story was very romantic (in a twisted way).

(Above Left: 3 Soups / Above: Noodles three / Right: Noodle Four!)


Anyway, yesterday was Friday Feast. It was another lovely affair hosted by Rem and Steph, attended by Michael, Chris, Erik, and myself. Chris brought a found-zucchini, with very muppet-like qualities. Handfuls of zucchini jokes later, we set forth eating.


Rem had prepared, on my request of Tawainese food and cooked vegetables, 4 noodles and 3 soups! Oh, the possible combinations! I attempted to try them all... but my waistline thanked me for stopping after three.


Michael had brought a cake, and after a small sampling, we settled down for some Settlers of Cataan. Steph builds and builds. Chris... not so much ;)

Surprise!

Cake and flowers! Despite the fact that The Young Poisoner's Handbook has made me a bit paranoid of edible gifts... I ate it anyway. It tasted delicious. And I had lots to share. We loaded up a cart to make deliveries. But before Wendy and Lorena let me go, they made sure I had an extra big "bite". This is what you get for being friends with such troublemakers. (Thank you so much.)

This is your brain on "High Test"

Under "Adam's Sliding Scale of Ethics", I could keep the found bauble for the wall, and do so without guilt (however if someone is looking for a white-plastic bead earring, check with me).

We had lunch at Good Earth. He approved of the "High Test" - a mix of coffee and shots of espresso. Afterwards, I showed him around the office:

"What? You mean you can just walk in here? I could have a gun or something!"

Gloria, our receptionist gives us a dirty look. I probably shouldn't have laughed and given him a lollipop.

99+ Red Balloons

When the last bag of kettle corn was put away, and the last of the red balloons had found homes - HIV Edmonton's AIDS Walk for Life 2008 - was officially over. I think we did pretty well.

The morning started off way too early (in my mind) with volunteers showing up to prepare balloons and set up / train to register walkers. I was snapping pictures as soon as I got there, and our security people (right) were also ready for action.

(Left: In the Green room - Ingredients for fabulousness).

People came to register (Ali was among them), and the main

program started. Yoko (right) performed two numbers, followed by singing trio Bella Rouge. After some more introductions and speeches, the Walk began.

What a showing! Definitely more impressive than our test walk a couple of days ago: Five people, one dog, and a sign - all jokingly nodding and waving at cars and pedestrians, lightly chanting "All babies want to get borned", and "Yes, this is the AIDS Walk. Whooo!"

We made it to the Legistlature and there was minor confusion. Where were the other photographers? Misty (volunteer coordinator) confirmed: One had shown up without a camera(!) and Dave didn't know he was the official main photographer! We figured things out though, and made our way back. On this leg Adam came out of Audrey's Books to greet us.

At the finish line, pins were handed out and people were encouraged to eat and chat. More photos here.

It felt like hours later when we finally got things packed up. But really, wasn't that long. And when we were done, the sun had broken through the clouds.

Joe met me in front of City Hall. I could only imagine what it must have looked like - there was barely a handful group of people there (a UN demonstration with the Raging Grannies), and the only evidence of something unusual were the balloons tied to my backpack - nothing like our huge Walk.

Anyway, we went for the last minutes of the library booksale and he found some videos. On the way to his house to watch one of them, The Young Poisioner's Handbook, I heard strange noises. I ran down the sidewalk to reach a clearing where orange and yellow leaves no longer blocked the sky: Geese flying south in the V-formation. Another reminder that winter was coming, but still, it was a good day.

Oh, Dadeo!

"If I were a male stripper, what would my routine be?" ~ Erik

Who would have known that paperbag lunches would be so popular? We (the OGRES) ended up selling over 29 of them at work for Friday's United Way fundraiser. The other OGRES made sure I wasn't part of the assembling (sure I looked better, but I was probably still a Typhoid Mary). But, I made sure I was still part of the wheeling and dealing eating and fun at noon in the boardroom. Banana for a Wagon Wheel anyone?

After work, headed over to Feast with the knowledge there would be a special guest. It was Keith! And John! And John's mustache! They were headed for the new nightclub Play. And between that and the mustache the talk turned of course to strippers... of course.

"It's Uncle Darren's fault!" ~ Little Moe

For her belated birthday celebration dinner, Maria chose Dadeo's (to be followed with undisclosed revelry). We had been tucked away in what I wanted to call "the Voodoo Corner" - collages of creepy cherubs, gravestones, and crosses were on the walls, and everything was cast with a purple, red light. Good thing I got Maria a Nunchuck (Left - available from Chicken Scratch). Would have come in handy if zombies had shown up.

We had the booth for 2 hours - plenty of time to get into some trouble. And soon enough the sparks were flying: Darren had scooped Moses out of a job! So... being plunged into poverty, Amber proclaimed Little Moe will have to write "How to Take Over the World on a Fixed Budget" (followed by a Dummy version) just to make ends meet. (Right: Darren and Amber play nice.)

O.k. must get some sleep now. But too excited. Tomorrow's a big day: HIV/AIDS Walk 2009! And I'm one of the official photographers! Yay!

Messy People

Martha: You make me puke.
George: That wasn't a very nice thing to say, Martha.

We're having a warm Indian summer, but I'm still wearing a sweater. I took the drugs (cold medication) like Wendy suggested and got some sleep. Felt well enough to go with Alex to the Preview Night of Studio Theatre's first play of the season: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

For the entire time, I sat distressed, and intrigued. I suspect this is the feeling people allude to when they talk about train wrecks and car accidents... but this one was one of relationships and people - and it's not an accident. The story starts with older couple George and Martha inviting a younger couple Nick and Honey back home after a college faculty party for more drinks. And it all goes downhill from there. The characters drink too much, have completely no respect for each other, and are just horrible. But I couldn't stop watching. The performances were extremely powerful, and George and Martha are incredibly witty. Their insults are genius - cutting where it hurts the most. They hold Nick and Honey transfixed... until they're pulled into the game too.

At intermission, I turn to Alex. He's having fun. He'd been laughing out loud because he understood the insults better than me (in fact it's one of his hobbies) and caught the older references ("... in spite of what they say about Chinese women."). And because, he says, he has an aunt and uncle who are like that too... the drinking, the infidelities... My eyebrows go up in disbelief and then scrunch: Real people aren't like this! Are they?

By the end of it, my earlier question of "Why are they (George and Martha) together?" is answered: They deserve each other; They need each other. And this is so sad. Were they ever happy? Were they once hopeful? Did they know it would come to this? I felt this awful lump in my stomach. Thinking this could be (theoretically) any of us. Hoping that it would never be. Wondering if I would I hesitate, if given the choice, to have this or be alone.

"This is not a good look for you." I had tottered into work today with sunglasses and a big sweater (the turtleneck pulled up to cover my mouth), and Morgan wagged her finger at me. I was attempting to keep my germs to myself and my headache at bay, but no, it isn't a good look. On top of all that: legs that feel like jelly, and pain when I try to lie down (but not it's not as bad as it was after canoeing). Only part of this could I attribute to being sick. The other part? Being crazy.

Lidia is away on a tropical vacation. She offered me her spot in her "Tone and Sculpt" class with Andrea, and I accepted. Last night we had our first class. The woman who teaches, has practically no body fat, assures us that if we took the classes to the very end we'd be strong enough to do 100 pushups in one class. In the meantime, I don't feel strong enough to sit down. Consolation: Andrea is in pain too.

Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Corpse Bride

And whiney, and achy, and just sick. I went to work, which means I was well enough (and earned my way) to go to Movie Night (my lovely rationale). And thankfully, Erik and Michael (and their strong immune systems) put up with me. Erik even made me chicken soup. (Thanks guys!)

In honour of the day after Mid-Autumn Festival (yes, you know what that means), and an almost full moon, we watched Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. It was fun, beautiful to look at, with some snappy musical numbers. However, I do have complaints: The Corpse Bride's singing voice is grating (a similar problem for Sally in The Nightmare before Christmas). And, inconsistency caused me confusion:"Corpse" therefore "corporal" and of the material plane... so how does that thing at the end happen?! And if these characters are not corporal and more like ghosts - why the signs of decay and skeletons? Ugh, being sick is probably affecting my brain. In the end - the movie is still really good.

The guys were hesitant, but I did coax them into trying the mooncake. This one was special - the package said it was XO sauce (seafood) flavoured. I was a little disappointed that I didn't taste a difference (perhaps the cold? perhaps it wasn't meant to savoury?). The guys didn't make too horrible faces.

On the way home, Erik taught me that POSH is an acronym (it attempts to give me some clue when he yelled "Starboard!"). I loved the story! Though... web sources have another say on it.

Dancing in the Park

or "Build it and they will come", and the Power of Bunnies

As promised, there was "cutting of rug" at the Louise McKinney Park Shumka Stage. I got a dance with the birthday girl, and the swing crowd provided a little performance too. With some silly hats (mine made the rounds) and things that were worn as hats, we also played frisbee and hackey sack, ate treats and basked in the warm autumn air. What a beautiful day to celebrate 21 years! (Yikes! So young!)

(Right: St. Krystal / Left: Michael, Krystal, and Pocky)

We weren't the only ones enjoying the space and sun. From far away, we could see people in costume practising martial arts and some film equipment near the Chinese Garden. I was curious, and took a walk over to find: Ron and his fiancee (past dance students)! They were building a video for their wedding. Cool! Close up I could see the girls were in form fitting qipao, and heeled, knee-high boots. This was going to be interesting.

(Right: David and Owen play hackey sack / Left: Julie and Bunny!

The other special guest for the day: Flower Flower (FaFa) the bunny! Her owner was taking her for a walk in the park. It wasn't before long that our group came 'round to visit, feed, and play with FaFa. Joe was inspired to hop right along side her. We created a tunnel of legs which she hopped through. Eventually though, FaFa had to go. I feel a little bad that I don't remember the owner's name at all.

About 5 p.m. it was time to pack up and go. There was an small incident. However, events today say getting water dumped on me wasn't so bad after all... but today I'm truly sick. Ugh.

And there was cake.

Erik makes molten lava cake (on Steph's dare) for Feast. It tastes wonderfully delicious, though it did have to compete a little with the apple pie. We ate and caught up as usual, and the little dog provided some unexpected entertainment. The game: Hide and Seek the Cheese (in plain sight). It became obvious that some of us have better willpower (heartlessness) to not give into those puppy dog eyes.

I head home and while downtown am treated to a concert. It's ETS's 100th birthday, and Churchill Square had been transformed for the celebration. People were dancing in the middle of the Square. A girl hula-hooped to the beat near a floodlit display of old style buses. All this was to the sounds of Shout Out Out Out Out. The band was truly tested the electrical power limits and structural integrity of the stage as they played their music and jumped around. Calling for more and more power as the lights and sound system "blinked", and then completely shut down, and starting again. While in the throng, my ears ached, but I was glad to be there. A bit of dancing at the bus stop, outside of the sphere but still enjoying, and then my bus came to take me away.

Woke up Saturday with a list of places to go:
- West Ed Mall T&T for mooncakes (inadvertantly bumping into Wendy with now-official boyfriend Will!)
- Chapters - to Visit Catherine at her new work place

It's already dark when I finally make it over to Kirsten's, and have a positive parking experience. My first time in her apartment! In the grand tour her plants, pig, and motivational pictures make me smile. We leave for the Nokomis party. *sigh* I do believe the squirrel is forever gone. I danced alone, lamenting a little, while we checked out the new line (lots of grey, and very '80s influenced). It wasn't long that I was consoled by cupcakes. These delicious confections were named "Diva" and such, were just sitting there available for eating. (True, they were perhaps slightly not as fabulous as the Calgary Crave cupcakes Clarence had brought in for Rini's birthday, but still pretty amazing... and worthy of a future Edmonton fieldtrip.) We dared each other to try the green cheese, and to try on some more interesting clothing pieces. And we leave... with a Preloved dress.

I've obviously already had my share of cake this weekend, but after Mid-autumn Festival lunch at home, I'm going to Krystal's birthday party... will try to be good.

"Uke 'til U Puke!"

"Argyll and plaid must not be layered!" ~ Kirsten

In half-tones, I started telling Catherine about my current read - Mordecai Richler's Cocksure (a pick prompted by Chris saying he was surprised I didn't recognise the author name, and then seeing the name at the library), but soon gave up. For one, Remedy was as bustling and noisy as usual, and for another, I couldn't stop laughing. Strange looks be damned, I continued in full voice about a warped post-sexual revolution world where a thirteen-year old girl had "come home with a scarlet T for “tease” painted on her bosom". About the main character who has so many prophylactics that they spill out of his closet. Why is this? Because the guys at the pub believe in him! And it would simply be impossible to refuse the unrequested, unrequired, pharmacist's hand-delivered packages at the pub. Ah, one's (sexual) image needs such up-kept.

After dinner (though tempted, we didn't get cake), we picked up Kirsten, and with bag full of gummy candies head off to our destination: Uke Fest 2008 at Likwid Lounge!

"Is she on pot?" ~ Kirsten, about Jill

The ceiling had a painted night sky. There was a balcony filled with plants. We skimmed through tight spaces and sat down at the table Will had saved for us. We talked, had drinks, and before we knew it, the first act started... sort of... maybe. I guess I shouldn't have been suprised with the amplified scratching and squeaks that competed with people's conversations. Even as he sat on the stage, hunched over a ukelele, his back to the audience, I still recognised him from Red Strap Market, showing off his works (that seemed to match the music). After another 10 minutes, he left the stage. Confused looks all around, when finally someone else came on the stage to make introductions for the event and Ukuleles for Peace.

One performer stepped up and called attention to the day September 11. One of her songs was inspired by the event... or more so, a person who had survived: "Family thinks I died and I decided to start a new life... I feel guilty because it was so easy."

"It has a uke solo and I'm so excited since I don't usually play for humans." ~ Jill Pollock

More performances, and it was getting late. I was getting a little restless. We had come for Doug Hoyer and the Be Arthurs, but then Jill Pollock, a babydoll in a touque, with her box named Clarissa and ukulele named Ethel, took the stage, and won me over almost instantly.

Jill: Uke Solo! *plink*

Jill: Uke Solo two!

She wasn't deep, but she was so much fun! She sang about the intensity (and fickleness) of teenage love, that if she were marijuana she would be free... and doing all that by cramming an incredible number of words and syllables into a bar of music. It made me forget the hour.

Finally, Doug takes the stage! There was clapping, many pictures, and a little bit of swooning (and not just from moi). Perhaps... perhaps... this tidbit from See Magazine's preview and interview with the Be Arthurs is true? "The Ukulele is the little guitar that will most certainly get you laid." These ladies, however, are not commenting.

"I'd eat that."

Was having these antisocial feelings yesterday. Maybe because there's been just too much going on and I haven't been getting enough sleep. I decide to miss out on Movie Night and go home... not that I actually thought I would get extra sleep. I turned off the phone, and worked on tidying and cleaning the room.

I guess it was pretty novel for me to be at home. Mom and Dad kept trying to get me to come out into the living room to watch television with them. I join them for a bit and catch the end of an episode about a ballroom dance instructor. After that was this travel/nature show with Hong Kong singer Eason Chan visiting Australia to document its wildlife. He showed us little penguins running on the beach (Dad: They're so fat, they must be very succulent.); he marvelled at the reproductive systems of the kangaroos (Dad: We used to eat those in Hong Kong.)... then onto the farm animals...

It wasn't that long after dinner, but all Dad seemed able to think about was that everything shown would be so tasty. I told him, "The idea is to preserve these animals, not to put them on the menu." But I was laughing.

"You are exactly my brand of heroin."

or "So that's what they're talking about."


"Lana, you're dumb." Catherine was right. I had confessed: I started reading Stephanie Meyer's Twilight at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday night. And that was dumb. I really had thought myself immune and would only read my usual 10 pages or so before going to sleep... but 2 hours later I was still reading. By the end of Sunday, I had completed Twilight, and found at the library and read New Moon (the second book of the series). I'm sure it's now time for a break and some reflection: Was it good? Was it more than what I expected?


It's a high school vampire romance... it's intense, and a little bit disturbing... There are good vampires and bad vampires, and they all seem to be incredibly good looking... but it is not Buffy. And between vampires that can actually go out into the sun, never sleep, with no fangs, and turn people with "venom"... it doesn't follow "canon" (as much as I understand it). However, when I mentioned the plot (and angst) and the werewolves involved, Morgan said, "Wasn't that in Underworld?"


The book did work in an interesting idea about prey and predators. One successful predator strategy: be highly attractive so prey doesn't even recognise the threat (I think of carnivorous plants with their sweet smelling nectar bait). Anyway, an added benefit, more of the the Flair makes sense. And so can you!




In between my little book obsession:


The new school year has started! The campus is teeming with students. And the U of A launched its Centenary. Morgan and I visit the Business Quad Day 1 to take part in some cake. Around us were students in, what Morgan coined, "First Day Fashion". This involves people actually thinking how they want to look - and then having time to excute it. An example: Mohawk hair fully sculpted a foot high. She asked me, "What do you think it would look like by day 10?". On our way back to work, she went to one of the tents and calmly, cooly, passed herself as an Arts student (I suspect the trendy tights and ballet flats helped). So jealous. Now with official agenda in hand, she has the dates and a pass to all the good parties (and a way of tracking things too).


Friday night, Catherine and I went to the AGA for another opening. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was when I saw Ted Kerr there. He was one of the artists with the EDMONTON: Explored exhibit. His set asked "Where are you from?" and "What is your role in society?" with some interesting answers to accompany his Polaroid portraits. What really drew my attention here though was the graffiti exhibit created in part with ihuman. I was across the room, but two people started setting up drop sheets and paint cans, and they began painting over the wall. I heard remarks of "I like the colour they picked." But I was intrigued, asking Catherine in half whisper - were they trying to make a commentary, wanting us to protest and thus exposing our hypocrosy? Catherine replied, "No one wants to be played."


I for one was sad to see the colours reduced to a grey green wall, but if you visit, there are still holes in the wall, and if you look inside there are scenes from the creation of the original.


We moved on to the main attraction: Works of a Rennaissance Master: The Prints of Albrecht Duer. We stared and marvelled at the detail of it all, leaning close to see in the dim light. Crowd scenes were so incredibly dynamic, and even the animals had expressions. They kicked us out before we got to finish.


On Saturday Sugar Swing had their Sock Hop. It was fun to see people dressed up. A Twist contest in the middle called for "Energy, Fun, Magic!" A blown kiss to Krystal got me into the individual finals, but didn't get me any further. Next day, people were talking about bruised ribs and abs. Intense!