Auxiliary Turkey Day

"You throw up. You're fine." ~ Beth, on wheatgrass juice, not on my onion and celery side dish

Arrive at Erik's a little late, but I think was forgiven for I brought Beth. We had spent part of the afternoon searching for a juicer and catching up. When we got there the turkey was ready.

It's electric!

Erik has a new knife this year and puts it to work. No video this time, just the electric knife and bird. And then we eat!

Ken and Sophie arrive a little bit later and bring dessert: A strawberry rubarb crisp. Most of us were too full and ready to give it a wait. Rem and Erik however...

"Rem, you're a disappointment to the family." ~ Erik, making sure it felt like a true traditional American Thanksgiving, and then we got back to being happy and enjoying ourselves

A couple of games of Wii where those rabid rabbits get their due, and we're ready to sing. Time for karaoke!

Kirsten "dodged the karaoke bullet", but the rest of us had a bit of fun channeling our inner rock stars for a song. Michael was MJ with "Billy Jean". Kathy mesmerised us with her version of "Wind Beneath My Wings". Sophie helped us figure out just what "Hot Stuff" was about. It was agreed that aside from the lyrics (which got us laughing) there was also "something" about over-the-top synthesisers that can delight and make us dance. I think a fieldtrip to an 80s dance club is really really needed.

Ken, who didn't understand why one would subject ourselves and our friends to something like karaoke, declined to sing. But after we did our rounds, he did pick up the guitar and lead us in a sing-a-long. I love "Blackbird" a heck of lot, but I don't know words. Later, when Rem took up the guitar, the same realisation came to a few of us with "Hallelujah". Rem prompted, we mumbled... granted we each had a different version in our heads (Rufus Wainwright!). Erik's iPhone and access to the internet helped a little with other songs with many words. We probably could have kept going and going, but instead we shortened "American Pie" and called it a night.

Happy Auxiliary Turkey Day!

Come Together

Excitement! In a week's time we may have a coalition government between the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc. Can see on Facebook Jeff was a little conflicted, but then he jumped in wholeheartedly to make support buttons.

The politics talk didn't end there. In the overflow room (so many people at Feast!), we were drawn back to Hillary and Sarah Palin, and women in politics (Why does it have to be about sex? The media only gives you two possibilities: "Witch or Ditz".).

Before the night ended also got to hear a little about Sophie's adventures (she's back from Australia), and do some catching up with Cynthia (she's back from grad school). It felt like such a long time since I talked to either of them... and in no time it felt like there was no time lost all.

A very nice Feast.

Without You

I found myself getting more and more angry.


This had nothing to do with my company. I was glad that Michael decided to join me for the preview of Without You, but the play didn't shape up the way I thought it would.

The story in part: Gabriella (Gabe) and Scott are to be married. There are doubts and worries on both sides, but only months before the wedding she decides (on a fuzzy prediction of a psychic) that she needed to leave and find an old flame, believing he was "the one". Scott is left pretending everything is fine while his best friend tries to convince him to move on.

Somehow all this sounded funny and promising... well sort of, in the original write-up. I wrong, Kirsten was right: It wasn't something in line with "keep the merry".

There were charming parts: Gabe getting into her game to the soundtrack of Britney Spears, the "He said/She said" narration that showed just how differently people remember the same event (such as a proposal), and the bar scene where there was a bit of dance cheorgraphy and some realistic yelling (in attempts to have a conversation). I was also impressed by the two actors who played all the other characters (a stripper, Gabe's sister, the psychic, Scott's best friend), and the set - a column of windows and dark square boxes that became a living room, a faculty club, a bar, a bedroom - all had projected such range.

But despite these points and some other laughter producing moments, I'm sure I heard the people sitting in front of us, mid-Gabe-monologue, mutter, "Get over yourself already." Considering these were middle-aged folk, I started wondering if this meant I was getting old; I didn't feel sympathetic for her either.

Granted, it's probably better Gabe had left for her search before they got married. And I think the overall point was that people needed to make these choices and mistakes, and they were better because of it in the end. Oh, and that sometimes there are second chances. So... a hint of hope?

Then why my anger and distaste? Could it be because I think Gabriella's a brat? That she was totally flaky and selfish? Or that she kept doing bad things eventhough I kept shaking my head and mentally projecting "NO!"? ...Or is this because some of it reminds me of me? And the prediction Thomas had made of me so long ago? Ugh.

Movement and Light

The Mactaggart Art Collection and "18th Century China's Changing World View as Revealed in Art"


Who'd have thought Maxwell K. Hearn of the Metropolitan Museum of Art would be envious of the U of A? The reason: The Mactaggart Art Collection.


Stumbled on a poster advertising Hearn's lecture earlier in the week and decided to go. Was very glad I did. His hour long talk was a short history course mixed with art. He explained that C18 (Qing dynasty) was a time of change and Western influence (Jesuit Missionaries). With different art pieces from the period, he showed what was the traditional style and what was the new style, and later related to how China was seeing the world differently as a result.

Two portraits he started off with were of Emperor Qianlong (new) and one of his grandfather, Kangxi (traditional). They are not actually in the Mactaggart collection, but I found these two that are representative of traditional and new. It's pretty clear that they are different, but it was truly illuminating when Hearn pointed them out: The traditional style was flat - very little perspective was used and wrinkles on the face were drawn in as lines; The new style had perspective - (in the Bannerman) there's a table that is viewed from the corner, created with diagonal lines - and most of all, it is shaded, there is contouring where light hits different surfaces (look again to the face).

He continued by comparing Qianlong's documented Southern inspection journey to his grandfather's, Kangxi's. Qianlong's incorporated the new Western style and had the diagonal lines to show perspective, and the artist seemed to have stood in one spot observing the scene and documenting. Kangxi's he pointed out that the landscape twists so that the most interesting parts are depicted (no back of mountains here), that the people looked like cartoon characters lined up in rows, with large heads, and impossible postures... and he didn't mean it in bad way. If anything it seemed he wanted to tell us how great this was, how it added another dimension.

The Eastern (traditional) style was about experiencing space. It was dramatic and gave a sense of movement (more abstract). Art was a vehicle of expression. The Western (new) style was about measuring space and aimed to give a scientific, photo/snapshot of reality.

It was this "real" element that Hearn said was very attractive and useful for Qianlong. The Qing dynasty marked Manchu rule over Han. Manchu's were known as warriors and to convince the Han (even after decades and decades) that the Manchu could be all things to all people (cultivated, literate...), large murals were created with the Western style showing the Emperor taking part in key activities with key people (e.g. reading and writing, sitting in the garden with family) promoting values. And as most of this art was locked up it became a record of history. Wow. Propaganda, baby!

His formal talk ended too soon I thought, but then he opened the floor for questions. From my notes:

Q: What about maps? Where these expressive too?
A: Cartography is a Western idea. Register books would list distances from one landmark to another, a separate picture would be a visual concept without the measured space.

Q: How did these paintings leave China?
A: Chinese collectors in 1949 fled China taking their collections with them. Prior to that in the Boxer Rebellion and other wars there was looting and the art pieces were sold out of the country. (He didn't mention the Communists... but did wrap things up nicely by saying "Humanity owns all art, it should not be restricted to nations.")

We'd been sitting for close to two hours, but people still had questions. He shooed us out saying we should see the Mactaggart collection and he would be there to answer more questions.

In the gallery, we were treated to not only the "Brilliant Strokes" show, but also a small tour of where the "Dressed to Rule" exhibit was stored (specially designed for the collection). The guide showed us a small sample. I hovered to get a closer look. Gorgeous, gorgeous, and fantastic! There are pieces in the collection where peacock feathers were used to embroider designs!

When I returned to the main gallery, Hearn was pointing to various paintings and continuing his lecture. How the traditional style wasn't interested in horizons, one element flowed into another, about white space, how it was a yin-yang relationship, whereas in the Western style a blank spot would mean the painting wasn't finished yet.

O.k. I understand this was all very simplistic and I'm gushing, but I am/was definitely elated and delighted. Must visit again soon.

Erik: I'll pause it for you.
Rem: DON'T.


I walked from work and was internally starting to complain about the cold... but a check of the mental calendar reveals it's already the end of November and there's no snow on the ground! Therefore, no complaining allowed! (Well, of the weather variety... today...)


From that brisk walk, I arrived at Erik's for Movie Night a little late missing the beginning of Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Apparently, I didn't really need to see it. As for the rest of movie... well, I'm not sure if I really needed to see that either. There was the lime green unitard/one-piece swimsuit (that inspired a many Hallowe'en costume), there was the naked wrestling, and other painful moments... but weaved into all that were some really funny moments too (Borat buying a car, Borat accepting Jesus, Borat learning American humour), and the storyline of trying to find his beloved CJ (Pamela Anderson in Baywatch) was sweet.


Kathy and Neil said Borat's home country looked familiar. Meanwhile, I thought the US and people protrayed were at times unbelievable and others frighteningly familiar.

Rem summed it up nicely: "It's a horrible movie with moments of brilliance." I don't think any of us will be clamouring to see it again.

Mission: Keep the Merry!

A month away from Christmas, and we were at WEM, but we're not crazy! We just wanted to have some fun, so directly into the jungle we went.

"Je t'aime plus qu'hier moins que demain" Cryptic French that was on a necklace at the uber-cool Urban Outfitters.

(Left) H&M where along with again all the lovely holiday treats and shiny distractions, Kelly finds a big no-no.

Right: The shoe that lured us into the store Alexis (while en route to Chapters)

Left: Hallowe'en costume and literary attempt in one (still at Alexis).

Right: Michael has impure thoughts, while Kirsten and my childhoods are perverted (Alexis again)

Left and Right: An assault of pink! At Beauty Junkie where I learn about "The Balm".

Dinner at T&T: Buzzed, Kelly suggested "We should light something on fire and call it a luau." We settle for some less exotic fare - but someone does have aloe juice and we share some mango tapioca for dessert.

It seemed like no one wanted the night to end, but there were no moles to whack (too late) and bowling was out of the question... and my feet really hurt. But we were indeed very merry. O.k. a night it was.

The Trainer in You

Hugh had said, "What is safe on Day 1 becomes boring for Day 2." So by the last class, or Day 3, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect.

Already I've been asked to:

- (Day 1) Do some mental gymastics (Hugh would teach us something using a technique [usually another aspect of teaching/training] and then we'd have to analyse it as both trainer and trainee)

- (Day 2) Prepare a 5 minute lecture and present to half the class using an assigned interactive learning technique (scared out of my wits I fell back on my ballroom "expertise").

So, what would be even more scary? What would be even more challenging?

If I had been paying attention, I would have known that as the last day, it was time to do the Action and Affirmation steps within the Training Schedule. And so we took it down a slight notch on the anxiety level and learned the stages of a group and their identifiers, and how not to answer questions (i.e. how to answer when you don't know the answer).

Overall it was a great class (Instructional Techniques for Adult Educators). Yes, the "lecturette" portion of Day 2 had me stressed out (how did I ever get up in front of all those people in dance class?), and I was mentally cursing myself for not making my partner talk about rodeos (her expertise). But afterwards there was a huge sense of accomplishment: Challenge was at least attempted.

The other interactive learning techniques were interesting, but even more I loved the array of information presented and how relaxed and quirky the other trainees/trainers were. The two guys in our group with the quiz-show-esque "Check-In" method kept us girls enthralled with the basic internal combustion engine (they were surprised that we were so interested). With nine little drawings ("Iconing") two bartenders taught us how to make Caesars (now know how, but no guarantees that it will taste good, practice?).

Even better than the class itself, was to have won it through that draw with the Faculty of Extension (free!). And on top of that - it was held at Enterprise Square. Downtown! This meant being able to meet with Jenn for lunch (and be amused at the library).

Don't know when I'll have the chance as a trainer/teacher to use what I've seen, but I'm already thinking some of this might be really good for me as a student.

Hugh's book "The Trainer in You: How to Design & Deliver Dynamic Workshops" is now part of my library. Let me know if you want to take a look.

Lana meets Adonis

Wang Fenfang was born the same year as me. She fills out an application to become a movie extra and is given a number. She's in Beijing, running away from her little farm village... A "hello" shocks me.

I was sitting at the library reading a book, and not in anyone's way, and here there was a voice addressing me. This was Adonis. My mouth twitched from attempting to surpress a laugh that came from hearing his name. He didn't offer to explain, as if it was the most common thing in the world to be named after a Greek god, and sat down across from me.


He asks my name, and I give him my real one. Then he asks about the book. Why this one? Again, I had to laugh. Because it had a nice cover... because _Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth_ was an interesting title... but after these initial eye catchers, I continued on to read because it is by Guo Xaiolu, who also wrote _A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers_.

I imagined his eyes glazed over by the time I've finished saying the last part, and don't go into why _A Concise... Dictionary_ was important to me. But instead he picked the book from my hands and began flipping through it, and asked what "ravenous" meant. What flashed into my head was the awful, awful movie that I sat through with Thomas of that name (it turned out he wanted to walk out, but thought I was enjoying it). I tell him it meant "hungry". His face scrunched up as if confused.

Then his brow relaxed and he concluded he should buy me a drink, and we can talk somewhere proper. I am amused enough to follow him to the Second Cup. When we sit down, he says some words in Spanish (but says he's not from Spain), tells me he does yoga and Tai Chi. Many questions about me, my life, but not many answers when I turn them to him. At one point he looks to the sky as if addressing God at what a wonder it was that I was a ballroom dancer, and relays a touching story about how he remembers his mother waltzing around in the kitchen listening to the radio when he was really young, and how he'd always wanted to learn.

Smooth.

And most calculated: By not telling me anything concrete and yet weaving these pretty stories, my brain would keep playing the game of "Who is he?" and "What does he want?" I looked at the dark dress pants, light tan coloured shirt, a leather organiser clipped with what looked like a ID badge (which was too far away to read) and came up with: insurance salesman. Any moment he was going to pull out brochure with policy plans. But then why the monologue about how both Batman and Ironman were enviable in how rich they were and could indulge in their eccentrities, but were ultimately lonely people?

After multiple toasts with our chai lattes (not quite a "clink" with our paper cups), it was time for me to go. As I make my escape he touches my hair, "What a daring colour..." Ah... the pink hair... it attracts trouble.

Exposure at Steamworks

"It's a good conversation piece for Grandma." ~ Adam on Marshall's Queer Jesus collage

I didn't expect to be sung to and hand massaged by Julianna (the performance artist I met at Nikki's housewarming), but I'm not sure what I really expected at the Steamworks bath house.


Michael and I first had dinner at Wild Tangerine (tasty Asian fusion food and stamped napkins) and then met up with Adam for the Exposure Arts Festival Bath House Installation.

It was a mad dash from the car to the bath house to stay warm. The entrance was in the back. We went up some stairs, paid the admission, and inside we were.

It was a maze: dark hallways with only pockets of lights and rooms that had been changed to small exhibit centres. Behind the door or around the corner could be a performance artist (one pretending to be Freud and ready to do a reading for you, or Le Confessional where there was a poultry incident), a video screen, photos, drawings... or more stairs. These we found lead down to the bath part of the place. Again it was a maze, but more lit, tiled, and with an area that had shower heads. On the tile hung paper cut outs of everyday things - a door knob where you would expect one to be, a light, mailboxes...

We venture back upwards to see if we missed anything. By this point I had lost Adam.

Anthea Black's "Looking for love in all the wrong places" looked harmless enough as black and white flowery wallpaper, until you took a closer look. Michael said he was surprised I knew what the silhouettes actually were. I didn't, however, know who Gaile Rubin and Patrick Califica were (two whole rooms were dedicated with their names).

I'd had my tests of prudishness through out the experience. I decided to turn away rather than examine too closely when I realised the concession stand that sold multi-coloured (glow in the dark?) condoms, dildos, butt plugs, etc., was not meant as an art piece. And I did decide we should leave because I really needed to go the bathroom, and the only one available was without a door, and had a hole in the stall wall.

Admittedly seeing the place was one of the big draws for me. But if found it eventhough shocking and puzzling at times, as an experience, it was good. Some curiousities were satisfied, others awaken (have notes, will research).

Am a little disappointed in myself for not taking part in Todd Jane's Tearoom. He served tea, and talked - I think the piece was meant to address how this space wasn't just about sex, it was about community and belonging too (while also being a play on tearoom)- and maybe I would have learned something. Was glad to have let Julianna did her work on me. It's called "Antidote" and was meant to help heal me of any hurt I suffered as a result of my sex, or sexual orientation/identity. Thankfully, that has been few.

A better blog post about the event: Getting My Feet Wet at Bathhouse

(Thirty) Five-Alive!

Cam: A turducken just seems wrong.

Rem: It's fowl.

Another trip around the sun! Erik's birthday celebration yesterday started off with dinner at the Sawmill. There were presents too. Sure Erik said he's old enough to buy what he wants - but did he even know he wanted a book by David Sedaris? Or the awesome popcorn accessories Steph gave him?

Dinner was overall very pleasant... after I figured out what I wanted (there are a lot of meat choices on the menu). Each of our orders arrived with a brown puffy thing: Yorkshire puddings. Someone (Cam?) said there are bits of a real sawmill incorporated into the restaurant, I'm not sure about that, but I am sure the gorgeous stained-glass was real (I gave some of the pieces a good touch just to make sure).

"Erik's a mango!"

Steph and I found some items that could be turned into dessert at the store, and headed over to Cameron's place to continue the party. Turns out he lives in the same complex as Darren.

Steph and I get a tour and see (atleast) two sides of Cameron reflected in his two libraries: Science Fiction/Fantasy and Romance. The latter was a surprise to me. We combed through boxes of discards and happily took home some things trashy.

(Right: Steph and Cameron check out the china.)

O.k. back on focus: Dessert! Steph makes chocolate cake. And then we add ice cream to top things off.

The night did not seem complete without a little more geeking out, so onward to the internets! And we watched J-Lo have a catfight with Mango, and "im in ur manager killing ur saviour" by fortaxreasons.com. So fun.

Happy birthday Erik!

Winter Waltz

Winter Waltz was quite sweet. John picked up Patrick and I, (maybe just a tad early) and we met with Beth and Madelyn at the Shaw Conference Centre. There was some confusion over tables. Maria wasn't there to set us all straight - a last minute injury meant she couldn't come at all. So in the end, Darren and Clarence ended up at a table beside us rather than with us.

(Above: John and Beth Rumba / Right: Clarence and Beth West Coast)

Dinner then was interesting as we made small talk with some people who we've never met. One of them asked "What is your passion?" Puzzled I said, "Dance of course. We're here after all." I now wonder if he meant what I did for a living. O.k. I guess I should be less awkward and more open, but it was still kind of scary. I had that anxiety again of thinking "So... what's my story?".

(Left: Ali and David / Right: Patrick strikes a pose.)

Madelyn knew what to do with all the silverware, and gave us a little lesson. The main course got us talking about fruit and vegetables: purple carrots, green cauliflower, yellow tomatoes, red oranges... a rainbow of fruit and vegetables that we don't find in an average grocery store. Patrick and John were in a state of disbelief "These can't be real." "Yes they are!" Beth, Madelyn and I countered. And then we paused to laugh - with all the years of education between us, we were arguing about this!

My extra food went to Patrick and John, and when the desserts came, us girls got first pick. It was a very good set up indeed.

We danced. We danced some more. We took a break for performances. Amanda and Darren were one of the couples!

Guys flocked to the table for Beth, but I don't think she noticed. I didn't feel like I knew that many people, but I didn't sit out much either. Clarence took me around the floor several times (again making me laugh when switching between American and Standard) and impressed us all with his West Coast moves. Darren's learned some cool salsa moves from Amanda, and we give that a try too.

More dancing, and more dancing... and then surprise! The usual crowd left for Boston Pizza early! Beth, John, Patrick, Madelyn, and I stayed to the very end. I danced the last waltz with David - a very good sport indeed since his ankle was still healing.

WW wouldn't have been complete without some photos. Again, had lots of fun doing "glamour shots" in the lobby. There were some of Madelyn too, but none are internet-postable on threat of breaking arms.

Three days (from receiving the ticket and knowing I'm was really going) of anticipation was still enough.

Monsters

With Na (science), and Kirsten (art) at my side, we went to the Imagining Science exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta, a collaboration with the U of A's Festival of Ideas between artists and scientists on opening night.

It was busy, and the gallery was packed. I was glad we managed to get into the first installment early. It was Lyndal Osborn's "ab ovo". Inspired by seed pods and seed banks, Osborn had created her own collection of fist-sized seeds from glass, foam, paint, wood... and put them in a shelf of glass bell jars. By donning rubber gloves, you could also touch some of them in a separate case. Some of them looked like mushrooms, others like sea creatures, and others like durian fruit. All were in bright intense colours. It felt to good to be in that space.

The rest was mostly a blur for me: a 10-foot-tall sculpture that looked like a cross between a microscope and piece of machinery from the industrial revolution paired with pencil drawings that looked vaguely scientific, a timeline of art and science that included advances of HIV treatment and a live rabbit glows in the dark, a bright room with a square of lawn and a woman in lab coat handing out agar in petri dishes, another room dark with modelled electric pulses (in purple light) in two glass brains...

What wasn't a blur, what we were still talking about aftewards, was the Pheasant Transgenic Lab.

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." ~ Na

Both Na and Kirsten came out of the space outraged. Transgenic pheasant embryos were created, their eggs then broken, the embryos dissected, and what remained was photographed. The photogaphs were enlarged for the walls. A documentary of the process was playing on a large screen. A shotgun in a glass case on the side.

It was so needless. How could they have gotten ethics approval? How could they do this? Maybe that was the exact point. It seemed those who created the pieces were also on the side of the pheasants: One of the photos was called "Ancestor Rape".

I know I would have been horrified if these were humans... maybe even another animal... but as it was, I was fascinated. Both my Science and Art had thought it wrong. I felt wonder. And then a little bit of fear for it.

Kirsten, noting my quiet, apologised for not liking it. But it wasn't upset about that. I had realised again that something was broken. Joe, in theory, would have liked this. But he creates his monsters on film, knowing they're not real. Would this just disgust him? It seems like more proof.

Magpie tendencies

The snow has melted. My eyes are pointed to the ground. There is garbage. There is treasure. On the way to Funky Buddha I found a brilliant cut jewel. This morning a round aquamarine coloured-crystal half encased in a silver ball, with a silver stem. I think it may have been part of a bellybutton ring. It feels strangely intimate to be holding this in my hand.

The Seen

or "Un-scene"

"I'm telling you it's the same guy."

Rhianne and Chris continue to sip wine and eat the cheese courtesy of the Department of Sociology, following a lecture by Dr. David K. Foot, "The World of Demographics and the Demographics of the World."

From our spot in the fringes, I could see other people talking and there he was, that guy. I don't go to a lot of these functions (out of the proportion available at the University), but when I do, I see him: little man, about 60 years old, with white hair and beard. Is he at all these things? I remember talking to him when he was at our open house and he said he was... chemistry... professor emeritus? Me thinks this is kind of strange, but also very cool. Imagine hanging out at the University every day attending free lectures and picking up food along the way.

Chris says maybe he's only going to the same handful of events as me, and is probably thinking the same thing.

Anyway, the lecture: I enjoyed it. Dr. Foot is an economist and professor at University of Toronto. He wrote the book Boom, Bust & Echo: Profiting from the Demographic Shift in the 21st Century. His talk included showing the changing demographics of Canada and the world, some predictions he had based on this, and some ideas on where government and business should be directing their efforts as a result (more details of course in his book). He pointed out that there is a life cycle of needs: childcare, petcare, eyecare, pharmacare; that there's a disconnect between Canada's static retirement policies and the fact that life expectancy is increasing; that there is about a 12 year difference between your actual age and needs and your emotional age and needs; And that Alberta is demographically the youngest province, and believes why this in part why we're so politically conservative in aggregate - the young aren't as interested in social programs because they're not the current users. That last point would be interesting to further investigate.

Filled with wine and cheese, the three of us were ready to head out for dancing - salsa at Funky Buddha. The $5 cover charge bought us a drink ticket and lesson. The instructor was late, which let my mind wander to the word "scenester". It's another one of those strange words/labels that I can't quite get my head around. Could I cynically equate it with someone who's there only to be seen? And then... am I one? Ugh, such a distaste in my mouth for thinking it might be so. Do I have to examine the motives for me going out?

The instructor pulls me away from these thoughts. He was a ball of energy, dressed all in white with a hair and head that looked like a bumble ball. Between waves of Spanish, he advertised a trip to Cuba and other lessons available, and taught us a dance routine. At 10:30 p.m. we were ready to leave. No one else was. If anything, the small dance floor was getting more crowded. When we made it outside we thought: Do none of them have to work tomorrow? Maybe they are all dancers and models and can sleep in...

Other diversions: Beth has delivered to me a Winter Waltz ticket! I'm really going!

Stuff

"Celery is the new popcorn!" ~ Michael

I feel this chill in my bones. It's snowed and it is cold and wet outside. Tree branches are heavy and clumped together with the wet snow. I wish again I could just stay in bed, with books and hot drinks. But as usual, can't really complain - yesterday was Remembrance Day. Spent morning calling for costs on snow tires for Dad and that revealed more words I can't translate into Chinese.

I also got to spend some time with Catherine. We met up and end up in a bookstore (delight!). She pointed out some very good picks for my birthday present search. Before long though, I had stop searching to read Stuff White People Like: The Book. Horribly offensive, or just plain silly and fun?

The book is a compilation of blog posts based on the premise that "white" people are really predictable, and there are common things they like. While phrased like a racial label, the definition of "white" seems to be: western world, educated, semi-socially/environmentally aware, more left on the political scale, and open-minded of other cultures. So, the book may be very true in the "all black birds are black, but all blackbirds are not necessarily black" kind of way.

Anyway, I was getting a kick out of it, and scored fairly high on the test your level of "whiteness" quiz in the back.

I don't see myself objecting if it was instead a book of "Stuff Yellow People Like" (Hm... but would the definition of "yellow" be as positive?) I just see myself getting Maria (our honourary-Chinese) to take the test and see how our scores compared.

Stop, Drop, and Ready to Roll

"It is now official: there is no place on Earth where you will not find a Peruvian band..."
~ David Sedaris, arriving in Japan in "The Smoking Section" When You Are Engulfed in Flames


Adam arrived early.


I have been working mostly in a fog, and really needed to finish one more file. Too keep him busy I handed over a copy of David Sedaris's "When You Are Engulfed in Flames". I soon wondered if it was a good idea. He was laughing. I was distracted.

Lana: What? What is it? Did you get to "Solutions to Saturday's Puzzle"? [Where on a flight, he stews on what to do after finding his throat lozenge has dropped into his grumpy seatmate's sleeping lap.] Or "That's Amore"? [Where he reminisces on neighbour Helen, and just how rude she was.]
Adam, laughing still: It's just all so true.

O.k. he couldn't be reading "This Old House"... That was my truth/dream.

After a few more minutes of this, I gave up trying to work. He promised not to read his copy of the book at home (the one that was put directly on the shelf because he really, really needed to study). And off to dinner we went.

He stumped me by saying some things can be moral but not ethical, and I sang "Tangerine" and found out he doesn't like musicals.

No Stillness and No Rain

Had the song in my head as soon as I woke up. I was nervous. But what was there to be nervous about?

I showed up at Jowen's at a little before 1 p.m. as planned and everyone, except for Joe, was asleep. This was the after of a punk rock concert and video games night (that didn't end until 7 a.m.) Though awake, Joe wasn't in great shape. He hid me in his room and went to shower. I tried not to break anything, looked out the window, finally seeing a break from the grey light.

I wore my sunglasses as we listened to Wire Tap. Heather O'Neill told a wistful set on the Island of Dr. Moreau, but it was Jonathan, Josh, and Howard's antics that made him laugh.

The others awoke. The damages of crowd surfing were proudly displayed and compared. Owen excitedly showed me a guy with red eyes. They were that way because the blood the band threw at the audience had stained his contacts.

Joe and I started watching Twin Falls Idaho while the others got showerd and dressed. While I admired the Amelie-like colours and the sweet (though unlikely) story, I kept thinking: Is this bohemia? This world? I had dreamed of Rent (knowing it wouldn't be so glossy). But certainly something more organic. I don't belong here.

Finally the day was to start. Movie half watched, they piled all into Owen's car.

I'm back at Erik's to clean up my messes.

A Place of One's Own

"It's amazing how kids find the same ways to kill themselves."

~ Chris, re: Battlestar Galactica toys, the first edition

The Feasters noticed. My parents didn't. Neither did Chris.

Chris and I met up Saturday morning with plans to check out some of houses and neighbourhoods he was interested in buying into - but we got sidetracked. Or maybe the proper word would be "roadblocked". That roadblock was me. I was clueless. So, for most of the morning and a bit of the afternoon, I was given a crash course on mortgage deals, different characteristics of parts of the city that I might be interested in (such as near NAIT, where there is a large demographic of single men - paramedics?), and realtor lingo.

When we finally left Erik's, we grabbed some fast food, and ate in the car while searching. I got ideas, some considerations of what I might actually like (on the outside of a house)... and what those places were going to cost. But even more attractive than the large trees and older homes with character, was the "lifestyle" some of these places/neighbourhoods represented. A little girl was drawing on the sidewalk with chalk with a woman looking on. Now if realtors could put that into a package...

I also had visions of myself being like Chris's friend who bought a house practically on a whim...

It was then time to visit someone who had this all together. I picked up Kirsten and headed over. And voila, Chez Michael!

There was furniture where there was no furniture before. There were shelves where there were boxes. And there were people!

Did you know there's no chocolate in Reese's Pieces? I watched Rem eat his orange ones last and Kirsten build with candy.

Between the sweets, the drinks, cookies, and hot hor d'oeuvres, we were well energised to play some board games. Lively fighting erupted over plays of Apples to Apples and Pit. (Right: Steph questions people's choices / Left: Rem considers) Finally, when exhaused, we lounged and talked.

I think we warmed things up properly: We had to open the door, and even Steph took off her socks.

Congratulations Michael!

Strike 2

"Happy Obamaversary!" ~ Adam

Steph is a trooper. Once again she heads out to Canadian Blood Services clinic to donate. Malcolm dragged her this time and I joined them at my lunch hour to offer some moral support. Things seemed to be going pretty well. While waiting for screening, I got to catch up Malcolm. He tells me he's been working on core strength: standing on one leg, while brushing teeth... with his eyes closed. This I have to try. (Though I don't think I have enough balance in the morning to complete the feat, even if my eyes were open.)

Things then took a down turn. I can't say I was completely confident in the person giving Steph the needle. I sat by her side, watched him clean the site and mark with iodine... and then... he hits a vein. Abort! She then lets him check the other arm for another poke! I commend her - most would have given up. He didn't find anything better, so decide to let her go.

I really wish she had a better experience. Especially since her first time wasn't so great - and she has some good reasons to give. As she says: Strike 2.

While the cat's away...

"You know... men would pay for this."
"The problem is they usually want to be in the house at the same time."


Beth is (probably) right (as usual). And having someone else there would put a dampener on trying ballgowns in the living room, running around partially naked, and doing odd bits of cleaning along the way...

I'm sure Erik's not disappointed to not be here though - he's on another jaunt to Jamaica! And with a goal to "do it right". Well, I just hope he has fun... and be safe!

In the meantime, I dole out my bachelor food (sardines, toast, soup, salsa...).

Chris has also visited. While we chatted and talked about going salsa dancing, he answers the question: What happens when you keep batteries, keys, and loose change all in one pocket? Now thinking on it, I could have challenged his veracity, but I'll just call him Chris "Hot Pants" for the next little while.


Oh, and I treated myself to a salon manicure! That didn't last for 10 minutes... oh well, tomorrow there'll be something a little more permanent.

Super Party!

"David's throwing Jenn a birthday tonight... Want to come?" ~ Steph, email at 11:21 a.m.

At hour seven:

Steph and I are looking for the bus David had told us to take. But it's a zombie / ghost bus terminal: dark, no buses, and the bus stop signs have no numbers on them. I half expect some sort of scary/supernatual character to climb out of the truck on the side. Overall, this made no sense... and then we realised we were at Stadium instead of Coliseum. *a smack to the head* (Seriously, these sports centres seem the same to me.)

Meanwhile at Jenn and David's:

Super Party has begun! Kids and adults are making themselves at home.

When Steph and I arrive (David picks me up from the right station, Steph rides), we're ready to party too!

There are so many kids! Brody conducts a game of Uno with the adults (turns out I'm not the only one who's never played before). The rest of the kids take the couch apart. Jenn cooks.

Everyone sits down to eat pizza and chicken fajitas. I loved watching this baby girl dance to the music - it comes out that her mom has already picked out a stripper name for her: Harmonie Summers (my spelling). I laughed at Steph's scandalised look. (I'm sure it was a joke.)

And then came ice cream cake! And mini-cupcakes. Jenn eats the icing off mine. I try to do dishes but David stops me.

Most of the kids are then rounded off to home, or to bed. We start on the adult activities: presents! Followed by putting the hamster in the hamster ball. I heart the hamster ball.

We play Scene It - a movie triva game where you ring in the answers on a remote. The game actually rewards you if you answer wrongly (as long as you're the quickest). There is much heckling.

Indeed with less than seven hours of planning, this was a super party.

Happy Birthday, Jenn!

What do you do...

... when an *pause* "X" posts a picture of himself naked on the internet?


What I did:


1. Had a small moment of shock and mortification.
2. Shook head in disbelief.
3. Started laughing.
4. Told best friends how glad I am we're not dating.
5. Counted blessings that he didn't have any compromising photos of me.
6. Questioned self-prudishness.
7. Wrote this entry.

Catching up and Meeting Baby J

Erik is away, so I hide out here again for a bit. My feet are propped up - still hurting from the running.

I just finished meeting up with Shauna, Charlotte, and Jade! It's my first time meeting Baby J. I'd read about her in Char's blog, but this was something else. She's bright, and had me trained in minutes. You see, she throws down the plastic [keys, toy, book] and I pick it up. And then she throws down the plastic [keys, toy, book] and I pick it up. And then she...

This game of fetch did pause at moments when she would reveal a shared love for socks. I hadn't taken mine off immediately after taking off my shoes (which is the ususal case) - so from her activity centre, she worked away at taking off her sock, and mine. Definitely charmed. Defintely flexible.

In the middle of these antics, Shauna, Char, and I caught up on all the happenings and munched on some Hallowe'en candy. Char gave us some details and the low down: giving birth hurts, and there complications after. There are definitely things people don't talk about. And it turns out Shauna's thinking of kids too (a possible escape from work-woes)! Jamie, her sister is expecting. And soon, maybe even Jasmine and Howie?

Amid the talk, we could also hear and feel the rumble of the sound effects of Mike's computer game (which he thankfully stop playing to give me directions over the phone when I had gotten lost on the way).

At some point, Char needed to check on Jade's diaper - a good chance for us to check out her room! Disney Princess decals on the walls, and toys and books. I cannot express how cool the toys are now days. And Char and Mike got a stoller "The Beast" that's high-tech and high-quality. I could see this thing being taken on the road (maybe even off the road).

Though we did have an extra hour (daylight savings), I was getting tired, and think everyone was feeling it too. We leave with hugs and promises to meet again soon. Next time, hopefully it will be with all the TC girls... and maybe some more good (baby?) news...

Grey

Dad cooked a big lunch because he knew I'd be at home. I had this bounty before me... but didn't want it. My nails have been worried away again. Mom tries to make me eat. I feel sad for them. For our state of things. I know the food is an attempt to make me happy, but that's not the appetite/hunger I need to fill. They, not knowing or understanding what's wrong, can only do this. (I know I have adopted this too - offering sweets when I no longer know what to say.)


Maybe they're right, and one really only should be thinking /worried about food and the next meal. Everything else is just over thinking.

I now sit on my bed listening to Vinyl Cafe. The program today is about "Basement (home) Recordings" and Stuart played Final Fantasy's (Owen Pallet's) first recording: a cover of Joanne Newsom's Peach Plum Pear.

Earlier I had migrated and retired a bunch of posters, so now I stare at a blank wall. I watch the grey overcast light on the baby green paint, a slight glare, for a minute. Listening, seeing, feeling, only blur.

Candy and NLC

The kids were really cute. Kevin was a bandit with a dark bandana covering his face and a plastic gun. Celina was a zombie princess (?), her elaborate dress covered by warm fall coat.

We didn't start out that late, but the newer houses with bright lighting already had signs saying "Out of Candy". In the darker, older area of the same neighbourhood there was plenty still. I wondered if this was a supply side issue, or also a demand one.

No spectacular wipe outs this year, only the "burden of cuteness" that the kids had to bear (overflowing bags of candy that they eventually had to drag [my bag wasn't nearly as troublesome]). And though Theresa said they could stay out later because it was Friday, we went home after a couple of hours to start sorting and trading. Out were the foil-wrapped chocolates that we were warned might be from China and contain melamine, allergic items, and broken wrappers. Then the trading began (the best part). I'm always so impressed that neither of them seemed to hoard, and the trades were relatively fair. I kept a bag of "no one wants" for my friends ;)

Next day this bag was used to help fuel the volunteers at NLC!

The competition has grown again! This time to fill two days. I arrive the first day early for my shifts to see set up. Ken (above) operates the camera on a moving arm (I kept watching for the weights), which is new this year. There was also alot more seating. When the judges came out, I found Delphine was one of them!

I was running again this year, and was on for all day and all night. At one slower point judge Pierre Allaire asks "Why "runner"?" I had to admit it wasn't the most poetic name, but it did convey the basics of it: Run/deliver the score sheets from judges on the floor to the scorekeeper to key on the stage after each dance/category - and running while doing it so as not to interfere or distract from the dancing. He said from now on, he'll call me "stewardess". I kind of like that.

The morning events were mostly dominated by Pro-Am competitions where Dominic and Celeste were the sweethearts. Christiana, Ryan, and Darren (and most of the people I danced with) had graduated to become "evening competitors". So I was happily surprised to see Leslie (my girl crush / favourite TA from years ago!), dancing and winning her category.

In the afternoon a girl named Agnes joined me in running. She was new to ballroom, but was clearly hooked and serious. She was taking private lessons from David at Elite Dance Studio (D&D's new studio) while waiting for an appropriate competitive partner, going to school, and working part-time to afford dancing (sound like someone else we know?).

For dinner the Andrew, Kevin, Agnes, Mark and Mark's girlfriend broke to the Mundare House of Sasuage. Wow, what a heavy (and very tasty) meal. It was extremely low on vegetables, so I was stealing the uneaten cucumber garnishes off of everyone's plates to balance things out. I apparently was also very amusing because I had to "take care of" the box of noodles I had originally planned for dinner and managed to throw out my fork too. Yes, that, and me trying to retrieve the fork, counts as entertainment (the lesson: I should never throw out food). So does Mark's girlfriend's jokes that she's a Zimbabwe millionaire (though with inflation, this might be true).

We return with time to spare for the evening events. During warm up was my chance to take photos. Amanda and Christiana are so hot! It's the first time I've seen them in these latin costumes.

The championship levels again took my breath away, but it definitely lacked something now that the Rizers are gone (rumour has it one of them went away for school).

Other realisations:
- I do not love the Pirate as I once did.
- Though it is fun to watch Denis Tremblay (judge) sway and bop to the music, he's wanderer. Keep an eye out for him.
- There is another song for paso doble

Instead of massive cleaning up and tear down (since there's another day), volunteers were invited to the competitors' reception. This was very nice (though few sparkles were collected). I got to sit down and actually chat with Christiana, Ryan, Darren and Amanda. Turns out the gold in Standard Block B is Darren and Amanda's first (with no rule tie-breakers involved) - I know, I shouldn't feel proud necessarily, but I was very happy. Christiana told me to slap my bug bite to show it who's boss. We laughed over "upside down nanimo bars". Also caught up with other competitors: Grace (from Calgary) is pregnant (and still competing)! It's Olya's birthday!

Went home and could hardly sleep. It was a pretty spectucular day.