Today I experienced for the first time the joys of the Greyhound Bus. Now before you start judging my upbringing, I have traveled by bus before. Just because I'm from a tiny town doesn't mean we took field trips in those stuffy boiling hot school buses. Well lets be honest, we usually took trips in those buses, but sometimes for longer trips we would take coach buses. Today, however, was the first time I ever did it with strangers-- a.k.a I had no one to talk to for five hours and there was a high potential of getting stuck with someone awkward, disgusting or rude. I seem to have no luck with the people I get stuck with while traveling. My history speaks for itself. There was the drunk man who hit on me from Fredericton to Toronto (when I was maybe 16 at the time), the anti-Mormon who yelled at/chastised me from Denver Colorado to Salt Lake City Utah (although honestly he was pretty entertaining and I made sure to wave to him the next day when I saw him protesting downtown). Finally, don't forget the man who licked his hands obsessively from France to Toronto. The worst part was when he shoved those same hands into my candy bag because I was too nice to tell him how much he disgusted me! Bleh! Just thinking about that plane trip makes me feel a bit sick!
Luckily today I managed to come away from the trip unscathed by any horrible incidents with other passengers. In fact, it was completely the opposite. Surprisingly, instead of having an interesting story about the crazy on my bus, I found that no one talked to one another at all. There were no words from the bus driver about stops or arrival times, no hellos from the girl sitting next to me. The only interaction I had all morning was when I asked the girl sitting next to the washroom if she knew if the door shut, she coldly answered that she didn't know and returned to her ipod. I couldn't get the door to shut and no one offered to help me. I found the whole experience very impersonal. At the end of the trip the bus stopped in downtown Toronto, and when I asked the bus driver when we would be going to Yorkdale Mall, he informed me that he had been told he didn't need to go, so he went directly downtown!.. What kind of a business doesn't inform the clients about an important change like deciding to miss a stop!? If the #4 OC Transpo bus decided one day that it could probably skip going through Carleton Campus because no one on the bus looked like a student, people would have a fit!! Anyways, that is my Greyhound rant for the day. It actually didn't make me angry today, it mostly just made me upset because I was stuck downtown with heavy luggage with no idea where to go! Luckily I managed to get to the subway and get to Yorkdale okay, and all is well!
I have to admit, getting to the destination is actually one of my favourite parts about vacations. I've always found that I meet some of the most interesting people while traveling. After a while, being so lonely makes you a little crazy and you start finding yourself talking to strangers when you normally wouldn't. I've always liked traveling alone because it forces me to go out of my comfort zone and I'm always surprised how bold I get with strangers. I guess what I've learned is that the world is a pretty big place filled with lots of different kinds of people, but after awhile of being alone, it forces you to look for similarities between you and other travelers. You start to make connections with just about everyone and suddenly the world is a lot smaller, a lot less scary and much more manageable.
Traveling alone also gives you far to much time to think!
As I was waiting in line for the bus today, I could see people taking seats at the front of the bus. My first thought was that that must mean that the rest of the bus was filling up and I'd have to find an aisle seat next to someone. I got on the bus and realized that there were many seats that were empty and that the people I had originally been looking at, had purposely chosen to sit at the front.
It got me thinking: Does where you sit on the bus say something about who you are?
From the time we were little the back of the bus was always the cool place to be. It was a status symbol. Somehow the back meant that you were cool or it was a reward because you were finally old enough to inherit a seat in the hallowed back seats. They are furthest away from the driver, and during school trips, furthest from teachers and parents. Since it was furthest from authority, we would come early for trips just so we could score it, and it became the place to play truth or dare and other types of secretive games. It occurred to me today that maybe the idea of the back of the bus as 'cool' still continues with some people as they grow up.
Do the rebellious or those 'cool' status seekers naturally flock to the back?
Do the conservative, fuddy duddy (a.k.a people who dress like their parents) people prefer the front? Are they aware of this concept and openly rejecting it by sitting at the front because they have grown and matured?
Lastly, what does this say about me for sitting almost perfectly in the middle of the bus? Does this show that I have trouble choosing between my conservative side and my edgier fun side? Do I have an identity issue? Is this proof of my indecisiveness?
Perhaps this allows for the best possible bus experience all around, because you will likely end up sitting next to someone similar to you. You could even take it a step further! Are you a pretty conservative person who's looking to walk on the wild side of life? No need to go to a club or start sky diving lessons, just sit at the back of the bus and not only experience things in a new way, but you will be presenting yourself to the world in that new way. Don't worry, no one will question the seating, the seating speaks for itself!
I'm not sure if there is room in this bus theory for the crazies. They've never been known to follow societal conventions so its likely that no matter where you sit, or how you decide to portray yourself to the world based on where you sit, you'll always be just like everyone else! How you may ask? You'll have the same chance as every other person of having a crazy man who licks his hands sit next to you! Luckily I've already had that, and there's gotta be a rule somewhere in the universe that says that I can not be subjected to that twice in one lifetime! Looks like I have a lifetime of boring seat companions ahead of me!
-B
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Winter's Comin On, Summer's Almost Gone
The leaves have started to fall and change colours, the nights are starting to get chilly and school has started for everyone except me-- that's how it feels anyways! You know Fall is around the corner when men get more excited than usual about women wearing skirts and shorts. Men realize that skirts will be shunned for the next six months as pants, jeans, boots and layering take over the fashion scene. They can instinctively feel Fall creeping in and compensate by creeping a slightly longer than usual stare knowing that any skirt could be the last they see until next spring.
Fall is literally a day away and I decided that before I embrace this new season, with all its splendors like Apple Cider, orange leaves and endless layering possibilities, I need to first take a moment to reflect, maybe even wax nostalgic, on the amazing Summer I had.
The summer months flew by and there is no way I could or would want to write down everything I did. So instead, I've decided to narrow it down to a few key ingredients that made my Summer so much fun!
1) Biking
In case you weren't aware already, bikes are the new coolest accessory for Spring and Summer. As usual North America is almost always trailing behind Europe when it comes to whats hot. Bikes are hot! I remember when I was in Amsterdam it felt like literally everyone in the entire city had a bike, they even had whole parking lots devoted to them. Somehow all of the people managed to look uber cool and fashionable while riding their bikes as well-- men wore dress pants, women wore cute skirts and dresses. I wish I could say that I mastered the uber cool biking look, but that is miles from the truth. I always end up having to bring a change of clothes wherever I go because a bike ride leaves me looking disgusting and far from the cool and collected Europeans I wish I could emulate.
While they have small vintage inspired road bikes with banana seats, I have a big heavy guys bike. I tried to make it feminine by adding a basket to the front but now it really just looks like a bad cross-dresser. On the other hand, what my bike lacks in looks it totally makes up in style. My bike has been decked out with a bubble machine! It feels very 'Pimp my ride: Bike Edition'!! When I ride down the street bubbles come out the back of a bubble machine which is attached to the back wheel. Eight year olds all over Ottawa have ooeed and awwed over it. Bubbles along with the endorphins from exercising pretty much make me the happiest girl around. Its great exercise, I get to enjoy being outside and every ride is an adventure. Its given me a tan, countless bruises, a couple scary close calls and some good stories --- Seriously, give bikers space when you're passing them, we need more than two feet!! I still havent figured out the gears and I had to google the turning signals but for the most part I have really liked biking and will be sad to see the weather turn and force my bike into storage.
2) Camping
A group of friends and I spent the weekend Camping in Algonquin Park this Summer. We rented a couple camp sites, packed up a couple canoes and a kayak, bought the most delicious camp food you can imagine and had a blast. We planned kind of complicated meals so it ended up feeling like by the time we finished a meal we were starting to get the next one ready, but it was totally worth it. We ate like kings--- Perogies, pancakes, baked potatoes, ribs! The rest of the weekend was spent hiking, canoeing, fishing .. trying to catch a chipmunk that I nicknamed Chippy because he kept stealing our food! Definitely a memorable weekend away!
Group shot on the beach in front of our campsite!
This is Chippy!! He was so used to humans that I could click my tongue and hold out my hand and he would run right up!!
We took clams out of the lake to cook on the fire! They were delicious with ketchup-- but seriously what isnt?!
3) Fishing
I only got to go fishing a couple of times this Summer and I think what I realized is that I'm a huge suck. Growing up I only ever fished a couple of times and because I'm the youngest, someone else would always bait the hook for me. Somehow the idea of ripping a worm apart and then sticking it on a sharp hook is not my idea of a pleasant time. I think the reason I like to fish is so that I have an excuse to sit outside and do nothing-- when you fish, not only is it acceptable but its expected! Luckily Brynne was around to fish with me, she baited my hooks so that I could enjoy the rest of fishing. Next year I think I will get a license and make sure we go more often!
Me with the Catfish that I caught!! Did I mention that I caught the biggest fish of the night?!! Ya baby!
Jess caught this one by the dorsal fin!!
4) Sauble Beach
A trip to the beach in the Summer is an absolute must, a trip to Sauble Beach in the Summer is Heaven!!
Sauble Beach is the second longest fresh water beach in the world and is about 8 hours away from Ottawa. My family has had cottages there for a couple generations and there are only a few summers in my life that have gone by without at least one visit there. This Summer Jessica, Derek and I spent a few days on the beach and I would recommend it to anyone! Of course I fell asleep on the beach the first day and looked like a lobster for the rest of the trip-- but really since I don't tan I'll never look like one of the beach's regulars so the only way to fit in is to be a burnt tourist! This Summer the beach was most memorable because of the HUGE waves! Seriously I have never seen waves that high in a lake, they would go far over my head.. knocking me and sometimes even my bathing suit down!
This picture doesn't even come close to showing the awesome waves!!
Sauble Beach thrives off of tourism so there's soo much to do there!! We went to the Sauble Beach Funland and had a blast on these Bumper boats that sprayed water at each other!
This is a fairly new sport called Kite Buggying that Derek and I watched on the beach. Basically the person sits in this buggy and holds onto a giant Kite, once it catches wind it pulls them all over the beach. It looked like so much fun!!
5) Softball
Finally, probably my absolute favourite thing of the Summer was the Softball team I joined. The last time I played any type of baseball was in elementary school, I played T-ball. Every time I was up to bat, it ended up being more of a bunt than anything because I would only ever hit the T so the ball would just kind of roll off. Another time my parents tried to stick me in a league, they neglected to explain the rules (I should write a blog about the neglect that happens when you are the youngest child-- seriously my parents never took me to the zoo until three years ago, and that was only because they were sick of me complaining that I had never gone before!) Anyways, the coach stuck me in the outfield because usually the ball didnt get that far. During one of the innings the ball was headed towards me, my dad yelled from the sidelines that I needed to put my glove up in the air (so that I could catch the ball). Without moving or even noticing that the ball was coming toward me, I put my glove in the air. Another kid from the outfield had to run over and grab the ball that was a few feet from me because I just stood there, ever the obedient child, with my glove in the air just like my dad had asked me to! With this in mind, I started this summers softball league with a little trepidation. The first few games were a bit rough, many of us didn't know each other and had never played softball before. By the fourth game we were all pretty comfortable around each other and were playing great. That game marked the beginning of our summer long winning streak. We ended up in the championships and came third over all! I'm pretty sure I was the teams weakest link, but seriously I had so much fun being a part of it! During our last game while I was playing second base, the batter hit the ball right at my calf causing an awful spasm and a massive bruise-- which a couple weeks later, has still not completely healed.
(This was taken over a week later, I really wish I had gotten it in all its blue and purple glory!)
Its a reminder of the fun I had playing this Summer being part of a team. Now I have to live vicariously through Major League Baseball on TV, and find something to do with my Thursday nights instead of missing Softball! I guess I'll have to find a new sport to tide me over until Softball season starts next year.
At the same time I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about Autumn! Walks in Gatineau Park alone vindicate the Fall for stealing Summer's place. Its a beautiful time of year .. and if it was Summer all year long I wouldn't appreciate it nearly as much!
Fall is literally a day away and I decided that before I embrace this new season, with all its splendors like Apple Cider, orange leaves and endless layering possibilities, I need to first take a moment to reflect, maybe even wax nostalgic, on the amazing Summer I had.
The summer months flew by and there is no way I could or would want to write down everything I did. So instead, I've decided to narrow it down to a few key ingredients that made my Summer so much fun!
1) Biking
In case you weren't aware already, bikes are the new coolest accessory for Spring and Summer. As usual North America is almost always trailing behind Europe when it comes to whats hot. Bikes are hot! I remember when I was in Amsterdam it felt like literally everyone in the entire city had a bike, they even had whole parking lots devoted to them. Somehow all of the people managed to look uber cool and fashionable while riding their bikes as well-- men wore dress pants, women wore cute skirts and dresses. I wish I could say that I mastered the uber cool biking look, but that is miles from the truth. I always end up having to bring a change of clothes wherever I go because a bike ride leaves me looking disgusting and far from the cool and collected Europeans I wish I could emulate.
While they have small vintage inspired road bikes with banana seats, I have a big heavy guys bike. I tried to make it feminine by adding a basket to the front but now it really just looks like a bad cross-dresser. On the other hand, what my bike lacks in looks it totally makes up in style. My bike has been decked out with a bubble machine! It feels very 'Pimp my ride: Bike Edition'!! When I ride down the street bubbles come out the back of a bubble machine which is attached to the back wheel. Eight year olds all over Ottawa have ooeed and awwed over it. Bubbles along with the endorphins from exercising pretty much make me the happiest girl around. Its great exercise, I get to enjoy being outside and every ride is an adventure. Its given me a tan, countless bruises, a couple scary close calls and some good stories --- Seriously, give bikers space when you're passing them, we need more than two feet!! I still havent figured out the gears and I had to google the turning signals but for the most part I have really liked biking and will be sad to see the weather turn and force my bike into storage.
2) Camping
A group of friends and I spent the weekend Camping in Algonquin Park this Summer. We rented a couple camp sites, packed up a couple canoes and a kayak, bought the most delicious camp food you can imagine and had a blast. We planned kind of complicated meals so it ended up feeling like by the time we finished a meal we were starting to get the next one ready, but it was totally worth it. We ate like kings--- Perogies, pancakes, baked potatoes, ribs! The rest of the weekend was spent hiking, canoeing, fishing .. trying to catch a chipmunk that I nicknamed Chippy because he kept stealing our food! Definitely a memorable weekend away!
Group shot on the beach in front of our campsite!
This is Chippy!! He was so used to humans that I could click my tongue and hold out my hand and he would run right up!!
We took clams out of the lake to cook on the fire! They were delicious with ketchup-- but seriously what isnt?!
3) Fishing
I only got to go fishing a couple of times this Summer and I think what I realized is that I'm a huge suck. Growing up I only ever fished a couple of times and because I'm the youngest, someone else would always bait the hook for me. Somehow the idea of ripping a worm apart and then sticking it on a sharp hook is not my idea of a pleasant time. I think the reason I like to fish is so that I have an excuse to sit outside and do nothing-- when you fish, not only is it acceptable but its expected! Luckily Brynne was around to fish with me, she baited my hooks so that I could enjoy the rest of fishing. Next year I think I will get a license and make sure we go more often!
Me with the Catfish that I caught!! Did I mention that I caught the biggest fish of the night?!! Ya baby!
Jess caught this one by the dorsal fin!!
4) Sauble Beach
A trip to the beach in the Summer is an absolute must, a trip to Sauble Beach in the Summer is Heaven!!
Sauble Beach is the second longest fresh water beach in the world and is about 8 hours away from Ottawa. My family has had cottages there for a couple generations and there are only a few summers in my life that have gone by without at least one visit there. This Summer Jessica, Derek and I spent a few days on the beach and I would recommend it to anyone! Of course I fell asleep on the beach the first day and looked like a lobster for the rest of the trip-- but really since I don't tan I'll never look like one of the beach's regulars so the only way to fit in is to be a burnt tourist! This Summer the beach was most memorable because of the HUGE waves! Seriously I have never seen waves that high in a lake, they would go far over my head.. knocking me and sometimes even my bathing suit down!
This picture doesn't even come close to showing the awesome waves!!
Sauble Beach thrives off of tourism so there's soo much to do there!! We went to the Sauble Beach Funland and had a blast on these Bumper boats that sprayed water at each other!
This is a fairly new sport called Kite Buggying that Derek and I watched on the beach. Basically the person sits in this buggy and holds onto a giant Kite, once it catches wind it pulls them all over the beach. It looked like so much fun!!
5) Softball
Finally, probably my absolute favourite thing of the Summer was the Softball team I joined. The last time I played any type of baseball was in elementary school, I played T-ball. Every time I was up to bat, it ended up being more of a bunt than anything because I would only ever hit the T so the ball would just kind of roll off. Another time my parents tried to stick me in a league, they neglected to explain the rules (I should write a blog about the neglect that happens when you are the youngest child-- seriously my parents never took me to the zoo until three years ago, and that was only because they were sick of me complaining that I had never gone before!) Anyways, the coach stuck me in the outfield because usually the ball didnt get that far. During one of the innings the ball was headed towards me, my dad yelled from the sidelines that I needed to put my glove up in the air (so that I could catch the ball). Without moving or even noticing that the ball was coming toward me, I put my glove in the air. Another kid from the outfield had to run over and grab the ball that was a few feet from me because I just stood there, ever the obedient child, with my glove in the air just like my dad had asked me to! With this in mind, I started this summers softball league with a little trepidation. The first few games were a bit rough, many of us didn't know each other and had never played softball before. By the fourth game we were all pretty comfortable around each other and were playing great. That game marked the beginning of our summer long winning streak. We ended up in the championships and came third over all! I'm pretty sure I was the teams weakest link, but seriously I had so much fun being a part of it! During our last game while I was playing second base, the batter hit the ball right at my calf causing an awful spasm and a massive bruise-- which a couple weeks later, has still not completely healed.
(This was taken over a week later, I really wish I had gotten it in all its blue and purple glory!)
Its a reminder of the fun I had playing this Summer being part of a team. Now I have to live vicariously through Major League Baseball on TV, and find something to do with my Thursday nights instead of missing Softball! I guess I'll have to find a new sport to tide me over until Softball season starts next year.
At the same time I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about Autumn! Walks in Gatineau Park alone vindicate the Fall for stealing Summer's place. Its a beautiful time of year .. and if it was Summer all year long I wouldn't appreciate it nearly as much!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Confessions of a Recovering Pack Rat
In order to re-carpet my childhood bedroom, my parents packed up every thing that I left behind into boxes for me to go through. What I realized going through all of this stuff is that I have pretty much kept every random thing I ever acquired through my entire childhood. My mom gave me two options: a trash can and the back seat of my car headed back to Ottawa. It appears that I have been completely cut off -- even though I left home 4 years ago, I am now officially moving out. Anyone who knows me well, knows that throwing things away is really hard for me to do. I like having things around me that remind me of home or old friends, I find it comforting. Translation: If you gave me a valentine ten years ago that said something I thought was sweet, I probably still have it! That said, I spent the last two years living in the smallest closet of a room so I am becoming better at throwing the less important stuff away. Its easier for older people, they don't have to throw stuff out they can just give it away to their children knowing its going to a good home-- especially in my case, my parents know I will probably hold on to it for years. Plus older people are allowed to keep things, they've likely had it for so long that its practically become an antique-- whereas no one trusts that my thimble, glass tea animals or bottle collections will ever be worth something.
Last week, I spent several hours going through the many boxes, trying to re-live my childhood and convince myself that I dont need any of the 8 french grammar and verb booklets I filled out in Public School and evidently thought I would need someday, or the 5x5 foot giant, and I mean giant, picture of Celine Dion that literally takes up an entire wall of my room (It used to hang from the ceiling in Wal-mart if that gives you some idea of how big it is!) -- Thinking back on this now, I'm surprised it didn't give me nightmares! I ended up throwing a lot of things away, but some things, like plane tickets and concert stubs, I couldnt bear not to keep for fear that I might forgot these little details of my life and also because I'm hoping I will one day become a better Mormon and learn how to scrapbook.
Some things, on the other hand, I was not only unsure why I kept them but equally why they were ever made in the first place. I'm hoping that by sharing these, it will help cure me of my pack-rat-edness!
Witness Exhibit A:
Again...
This was 1 of 4 of an Andy Warhol inspired artwork I did in the 8th grade. Yup thats me as the Statue of Liberty.... yup there is a person waving out of my head...
I was also clearly a classy child. When asked to make a cd cover this is what I came up with:
(Those who attended a recent trip to Algonquin Park will understand this better!)
For anyone, including myself, who ever doubted my soccer experience, more like prowess really, this is all the proof you need! (Looking back I think I should have kept this and used it for my cereal every morning)
And my prom corsage. You know you're a pack rat when you've kept flowers that are over four years old... Just putting it on my hand, it started to fall apart all over the floor!
It wasn't all bad though, I found a newspaper clipping from my very first fashion show in grade nine! I was in the formal scene and I remember being soo terrified--- also for a fashion show, my dress was kind of ugly!
And probably my favourite find/treasure of the day is a ridiculous story that I wrote in Public School. My grade school friends will appreciate it because they are all featured in the story! I’m not sure how old I was when this was written, I think 10 but I'm embarrassed because based on the quality of the writing I wish I had been younger! I tried to resist commentary as much as possible because this story is so ridiculous that I really wanted to comment after everyone line, what I did add is in brackets! Enjoy!
The Killers Ghost
As I was walking to Brianna Hurley's Halloween party, I saw a new house. It was like it appeared out of nowhere. Did you ever see that house before I asked Mrs. Hurley and Brianna. "No! We haven't", they said. Everyone in the class that was at the party went to see the house except Bram and David, because Brianna killed Bram because he was a killer. She also killed David because she thought he was a killer, but he wasn't he was just telling Bram to stop killing. But Brianna thought they were planning who to kill next. But she was wrong. As we entered the house, a ghost of some sort passed by us. Cory was so scared he fainted and fell over a little hole in the floor. As we went to see him his heart beat stopped so we turned him over and we saw a knife in his back. As we stood there astonished we joined in a circle, we looked at each other to make sure no one was hurt. As we turned our backs we noticed that two of our friends were missing, Amelia and Michael. We had nothing to do but move on. As we moved down the dark hall we saw something, it looked like Bram or David. We couldnt tell which. We started running down the hall but we came to a dead end. The wall started to enclose on us. Brianna saw a crack in the wall so she pushed on it and a door opened. A big stairway went downwards. We went and the door slammed behind us. Out of what we saw inside the house this room was the most vibrant. Brigette stepped on a loose board making us all fall through to the dungeon, where we saw Amelia and Michael.
Chapter 2
As Brianna and Brady unchained Amelia and Michael, in the distance David came with a gun. As Brianna noticed the gun she dodged out of the way trying to push Brady but not succeeding. The bullet hit Brady in the stomach, another friend lost and then he disappeared. We werent out of this yet! We were stuck in a big room with a dead person. Then Caroline, amazed at all of the books in this room, ran to one of the books called Famous artists. As she did a ghost came out and she fainted. Then the ghost went past Jeremy, he froze not knowing what to do. The ghost suddenly disappeared and we all saw a big wet mark on Jeremy's leg. We laughed very hard and Jeremy said "O Mama!" and fell to the ground. Stevie, who had a secret passion for him ran to him and said, "Oh my darling don't leave me!" But it was too late. He was gone forever.
Chapter 3
Abby screamed 'Look a secret passage!' We were very happy. We saw a water filter but instead of having water in it, it had blood, 2 eye balls and an arm. 'Oh! Cory', Amelia exclaimed, 'thats Cory'. 'How do you know?' said Kyle, who was getting annoyed that she cared for Cory instead of him. 'Well Cory told me he was getting a tattoo of a squall that said something on his right arm.' It says, Dying Sucks. (Oh the irony!) "Thats ttt..aaaaaahhhh!!!' shouted Vanessa, 'something hit me on the back', and with that she plunged forward. Someone had stuck a cleaver in her back. 'No heart beat' said Stephen and he touched her and fell down dead. Everyone wished they were home warm in their beds. We moved on scared,very scared. (yup I had actually underlined that part!) We saw a ghost with a shot gun, he seemed like Bram, very mad that Brianna had killed him. (It’s not confirmed whether it was or was not bram.. it only seemed like him) He pointed the gun at Brianna shot and hit her arm. Brianna was badly hurt but was still alive. Very hurt Brianna, decided to keep going with the other's. (I'm so brave!)
Chapter 4
They managed to slip into a tunnel in the wall. Daniel Stairs went last and was a bit too big to get through and suffocated himself to death. The others kept going and at the end of the tunnel into a graveyard. There were skeletons. Nobody noticed but one had a needle and poked Bradley, he fell and hit Abby who also died. (Now it seems like I'm just trying to kill everyone before the end) I was mad, Abby was my good friend, I will miss her dearly. (as opposed to all of the other friends I had just lost) We kept moving, very upset at all the deaths. And Bram and David came out and said 'we are sorry', no one noticed but they had their hands behind their back. Zoe went up to David and stuck her hand out to shake hands. David did the same, he had a zap on his hand. They shook hands and Zoe was electrocuted. Brianna screamed out, 'Stop! Its not them you're after, it is me!' (Clearly I had watched waaay too many movies) She ran towards Bram with the cleaver that he had stabbed Vanessa with. Bram pulled his hand out behind his back and shot his shotgun at her and..... To Be Continued
I never actually wrote the end of this sadly. I'm not sure if I ever had any idea of where it was going to go. Considering the time period when this was written it probably would have ended with David not being dead and him and Brianna falling in love. Anyways this story gives some weird insight into the messed up imaginative mind I had when I was younger.
Frankly now that I'm older I'm considering another angle, possibly throwing people off guard by killing off all of my friends at Christmas or Valentines day-- something unexpected! Seriously this could be big, I can already hear the tag line for the movie they will make when they buy the rights.... "New City, New Crowd, No way she'll get away this time!" Please send your requests as to how you would like to die, to www.KillersGhostTheSequel.com
-B
Last week, I spent several hours going through the many boxes, trying to re-live my childhood and convince myself that I dont need any of the 8 french grammar and verb booklets I filled out in Public School and evidently thought I would need someday, or the 5x5 foot giant, and I mean giant, picture of Celine Dion that literally takes up an entire wall of my room (It used to hang from the ceiling in Wal-mart if that gives you some idea of how big it is!) -- Thinking back on this now, I'm surprised it didn't give me nightmares! I ended up throwing a lot of things away, but some things, like plane tickets and concert stubs, I couldnt bear not to keep for fear that I might forgot these little details of my life and also because I'm hoping I will one day become a better Mormon and learn how to scrapbook.
Some things, on the other hand, I was not only unsure why I kept them but equally why they were ever made in the first place. I'm hoping that by sharing these, it will help cure me of my pack-rat-edness!
Witness Exhibit A:
Again...
This was 1 of 4 of an Andy Warhol inspired artwork I did in the 8th grade. Yup thats me as the Statue of Liberty.... yup there is a person waving out of my head...
I was also clearly a classy child. When asked to make a cd cover this is what I came up with:
(Those who attended a recent trip to Algonquin Park will understand this better!)
For anyone, including myself, who ever doubted my soccer experience, more like prowess really, this is all the proof you need! (Looking back I think I should have kept this and used it for my cereal every morning)
And my prom corsage. You know you're a pack rat when you've kept flowers that are over four years old... Just putting it on my hand, it started to fall apart all over the floor!
It wasn't all bad though, I found a newspaper clipping from my very first fashion show in grade nine! I was in the formal scene and I remember being soo terrified--- also for a fashion show, my dress was kind of ugly!
And probably my favourite find/treasure of the day is a ridiculous story that I wrote in Public School. My grade school friends will appreciate it because they are all featured in the story! I’m not sure how old I was when this was written, I think 10 but I'm embarrassed because based on the quality of the writing I wish I had been younger! I tried to resist commentary as much as possible because this story is so ridiculous that I really wanted to comment after everyone line, what I did add is in brackets! Enjoy!
The Killers Ghost
As I was walking to Brianna Hurley's Halloween party, I saw a new house. It was like it appeared out of nowhere. Did you ever see that house before I asked Mrs. Hurley and Brianna. "No! We haven't", they said. Everyone in the class that was at the party went to see the house except Bram and David, because Brianna killed Bram because he was a killer. She also killed David because she thought he was a killer, but he wasn't he was just telling Bram to stop killing. But Brianna thought they were planning who to kill next. But she was wrong. As we entered the house, a ghost of some sort passed by us. Cory was so scared he fainted and fell over a little hole in the floor. As we went to see him his heart beat stopped so we turned him over and we saw a knife in his back. As we stood there astonished we joined in a circle, we looked at each other to make sure no one was hurt. As we turned our backs we noticed that two of our friends were missing, Amelia and Michael. We had nothing to do but move on. As we moved down the dark hall we saw something, it looked like Bram or David. We couldnt tell which. We started running down the hall but we came to a dead end. The wall started to enclose on us. Brianna saw a crack in the wall so she pushed on it and a door opened. A big stairway went downwards. We went and the door slammed behind us. Out of what we saw inside the house this room was the most vibrant. Brigette stepped on a loose board making us all fall through to the dungeon, where we saw Amelia and Michael.
Chapter 2
As Brianna and Brady unchained Amelia and Michael, in the distance David came with a gun. As Brianna noticed the gun she dodged out of the way trying to push Brady but not succeeding. The bullet hit Brady in the stomach, another friend lost and then he disappeared. We werent out of this yet! We were stuck in a big room with a dead person. Then Caroline, amazed at all of the books in this room, ran to one of the books called Famous artists. As she did a ghost came out and she fainted. Then the ghost went past Jeremy, he froze not knowing what to do. The ghost suddenly disappeared and we all saw a big wet mark on Jeremy's leg. We laughed very hard and Jeremy said "O Mama!" and fell to the ground. Stevie, who had a secret passion for him ran to him and said, "Oh my darling don't leave me!" But it was too late. He was gone forever.
Chapter 3
Abby screamed 'Look a secret passage!' We were very happy. We saw a water filter but instead of having water in it, it had blood, 2 eye balls and an arm. 'Oh! Cory', Amelia exclaimed, 'thats Cory'. 'How do you know?' said Kyle, who was getting annoyed that she cared for Cory instead of him. 'Well Cory told me he was getting a tattoo of a squall that said something on his right arm.' It says, Dying Sucks. (Oh the irony!) "Thats ttt..aaaaaahhhh!!!' shouted Vanessa, 'something hit me on the back', and with that she plunged forward. Someone had stuck a cleaver in her back. 'No heart beat' said Stephen and he touched her and fell down dead. Everyone wished they were home warm in their beds. We moved on scared,very scared. (yup I had actually underlined that part!) We saw a ghost with a shot gun, he seemed like Bram, very mad that Brianna had killed him. (It’s not confirmed whether it was or was not bram.. it only seemed like him) He pointed the gun at Brianna shot and hit her arm. Brianna was badly hurt but was still alive. Very hurt Brianna, decided to keep going with the other's. (I'm so brave!)
Chapter 4
They managed to slip into a tunnel in the wall. Daniel Stairs went last and was a bit too big to get through and suffocated himself to death. The others kept going and at the end of the tunnel into a graveyard. There were skeletons. Nobody noticed but one had a needle and poked Bradley, he fell and hit Abby who also died. (Now it seems like I'm just trying to kill everyone before the end) I was mad, Abby was my good friend, I will miss her dearly. (as opposed to all of the other friends I had just lost) We kept moving, very upset at all the deaths. And Bram and David came out and said 'we are sorry', no one noticed but they had their hands behind their back. Zoe went up to David and stuck her hand out to shake hands. David did the same, he had a zap on his hand. They shook hands and Zoe was electrocuted. Brianna screamed out, 'Stop! Its not them you're after, it is me!' (Clearly I had watched waaay too many movies) She ran towards Bram with the cleaver that he had stabbed Vanessa with. Bram pulled his hand out behind his back and shot his shotgun at her and..... To Be Continued
I never actually wrote the end of this sadly. I'm not sure if I ever had any idea of where it was going to go. Considering the time period when this was written it probably would have ended with David not being dead and him and Brianna falling in love. Anyways this story gives some weird insight into the messed up imaginative mind I had when I was younger.
Frankly now that I'm older I'm considering another angle, possibly throwing people off guard by killing off all of my friends at Christmas or Valentines day-- something unexpected! Seriously this could be big, I can already hear the tag line for the movie they will make when they buy the rights.... "New City, New Crowd, No way she'll get away this time!" Please send your requests as to how you would like to die, to www.KillersGhostTheSequel.com
-B
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Screw Slaying the Dragon.... Just Open the Freakin Door!
Fifty years ago, maybe more, in an age better known for chivalry, it was a common occurrence for a man to open the door for a lady. Whether it was a car door for your date or a store door for a stranger, men stopped and took the time to hold the door. Fast forward to 2010, nowadays this practice is something we announce to our girlfriends to show what a good guy we have or to brag about the lovely stranger that did something so out of the ordinary. What was once routine and expected has become rare and sometimes even an annoyance. The modern feminist can't seem to understand why a man would go out of his way to open a door for her when she can easily do it on her own for her self.
Are feminists to blame for this? Did men get sick of being treated like jerks for not recognizing a womans independence and decide to stop trying all together? Did fathers suddenly stop teaching their sons this basic courtesy?
What is ironic about the whole situation is that women really shot themselves in the foot because if they are to blame, it was them that were benefiting from the action in the first place and are now missing out. Then again an intense feminist would probably argue that women were not benefiting because no one benefits from further subjugation and repression.
Alright this is beginning to sound like a rant!
What I really wanted to present as a possible explanation is this, that it is not so much feminists or male laziness that has caused the decline of chivalry, although I don't think these options should be eliminated all together, instead it is technology... Technology has killed chivalry.
This may seem like a rash, bold even confusing statement but I will explain. Technology has improved the standard of living for the entire world, that is undeniable. In fact there seem to be so many positives to technology that its hard to imagine saying much that is opposite. I think in regards to chivalry two words will suffice: automatic doors. Whoever dreamed up and then implemented automatic doors is a genius. He understood the modern persons laziness and need for convenience.. then again maybe his invention created that modern person... either way we love it! Grocery shopping just wouldn't be the same if I had to manoevre my cart through a door on my own--- there are many ways of doing this successfully but none of them involve looking cool in any way!
So imagine my perplexity when I went to leave a store yesterday and nothing happened. I stood in front of the door and it didn't open!! I just stood there stupidly not completely cognisant of what I was expecting to happen. After a few seconds I realized that this store was not equipped with automatic doors and in order to leave the store I would have to open the door myself. Thankfully I dont think anyone saw this! But seriously, this is what has happened! Ten years ago I would have expected a man to open it and now I fully expect the door to open on its own. Neither of these happened. Chivalry is dead and when technology fails I get confused and disoriented!
We have all got used to the automatic door, often taking it for granted. For a feminist, the automatic door should be a daily reminder and confidence booster that you do not need a man and you can still look calm cool and put together strolling out of the grocery store. They should attach signs below the enter and exit sign saying "No man required" or "No need for chivalry, we got you covered".
Men have been replaced by automatic doors!
If you think about it automatic doors are reliable, there for you when you need them most and they open up easily, so really they are like the perfect man. Maybe technology hasnt killed chivalry, its killed men and taken their spot!!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
'Everything I've Forgotten to Forget'
Friday Night. Live Lounge. AndPop and Friends Acoustic Tour. 6 Bands. Amazing.
So a few friends and I headed down to the Live Lounge to check out some new bands.. mostly I just wanted to see Amos the Transparent but the other bands were surprisingly good as well!!
I have mentioned before that I get slightly star struck. It is no secret that I get super giddy over just about any celebrity of any kind-- this includes any and all local celebrities. I will be excited to meet you and probably tell everyone and their dog about it! Anyways, we get to the Live Lounge, sit down and look beside us and realize that most of the members of Amos the Transparent are literally sitting right beside us. Jessica announced to them, as if they weren't sure, that they are Amos the Transparent and would be playing that night! They took this news fairly well.. almost as if they were aware of it! I played it super cool and pretended I didnt think anything of the fact that I was sitting next to the band, meanwhile I kept thinking to myself --- When they become super huge I will be telling my grandchildren about this night... yes my mind goes that far! I think the band is so good maybe it could go that far, who knows! http://www.amosthetransparent.com/
One of the guitarists- James (Seen Below)- was sitting beside me. He was quite the gentleman, he offered me a melted Halloween size Kit Kat bar, which I immediately regretted not taking, and a band aid; both things he found in his band-mate Kate's purse. Later he showed me the game he was playing on his iPhone, which involves beating up a cat by hitting the screen. I told him the game was awful and he assured me it was real... "this is really happening right now!". He was a fun guy who made my night more interesting-- and I will probably cyber stalk him now!
Some new bands I hadn't really heard of played that night as well. I didn't get a picture of Old Crowns but Rex got so into it that the lead singer came and gave him a free copy of their cd after the show! http://oldcrowns.com/
Probably my favourite of the night, after Amos, was Robyn Dell'unto. She is a singer from Toronto that came and sang with her sister, Jen. http://www.myspace.com/robyndellunto
They both have gorgeous voices and Robyn was actually hilarious!! She delivered quick ridiculous understated humour at its best. She sang a song about breaking up with her boyfriend. "Stop looking at redhead porn, you're dating a brunette.. so thats not cool". She dumped him and then went and dyed her hair red--- how could I resist this?!
This is a small part of one of the songs:
Everlea, a band from Kingston, also played. Normally they would be considered more of a rock band but at the concert they played their acoustic tracks. I liked it--- lots of sappy romantic ballad type stuff. No one else seemed to appreciate it quite as much. http://www.myspace.com/everlea
Amos closed the show with a bang! They are a six member band from Ottawa. The lead singer is Jonathan Chandler, his voice is gorgeous. The first time I ever heard of the band was actually when Jonathan opened for Stars, he sang solo. He has a powerful, hearty voice that kind of has an eastern Canada ring to it-- hard to explain. All together though the members create something really different and equally as great! They were amazing!! Check out their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/amosthetransparent
Dan Hay actually whips out a bow for some of the songs-- he brings cool to a new level; a quirky old fashion cool!
I made sure I had the best seat in the house!! I was super close to the front! Also on a semi-related side note, if you go to a concert and aren't sure what to wear... go with the plaid! I didnt know this before but its a super safe bet ... there must have been at least 15 people wearing plaid shirts that night.. I felt like a conformist--- a cool one! ;)
Jess and I decided to use the bathroom before we left... we didnt end up leaving that bathroom for another half hour!! Why you may ask? I randomly told jess in the stall how hungry I was, and as I emerged I was stopped by a random slightly drunk girl asking me if I would consider walking out of my way to buy delicious panini's. She works/owns the Union Smokeshop downtown next to the bytowne and insisted on telling me all about the ingredients and the history of the Smokeshop and wanted my opinion on whether it should stay open later on weekends. At one point I actually stopped her and told her I needed to go wash my hands, but she literally kept talking through the whole thing. Anyways this is my plug for the Union Smokeshop downtown on Rideau St. http://www.wix.com/larocquer/nini-panini Go eat there and let me know what you think in the comment section.. I'll have to make my way as well.. I expect a deal since I'm friends with the owner!
Dan Hay actually whips out a bow for some of the songs-- he brings cool to a new level; a quirky old fashion cool!
I made sure I had the best seat in the house!! I was super close to the front! Also on a semi-related side note, if you go to a concert and aren't sure what to wear... go with the plaid! I didnt know this before but its a super safe bet ... there must have been at least 15 people wearing plaid shirts that night.. I felt like a conformist--- a cool one! ;)
Jess and I decided to use the bathroom before we left... we didnt end up leaving that bathroom for another half hour!! Why you may ask? I randomly told jess in the stall how hungry I was, and as I emerged I was stopped by a random slightly drunk girl asking me if I would consider walking out of my way to buy delicious panini's. She works/owns the Union Smokeshop downtown next to the bytowne and insisted on telling me all about the ingredients and the history of the Smokeshop and wanted my opinion on whether it should stay open later on weekends. At one point I actually stopped her and told her I needed to go wash my hands, but she literally kept talking through the whole thing. Anyways this is my plug for the Union Smokeshop downtown on Rideau St. http://www.wix.com/larocquer/nini-panini Go eat there and let me know what you think in the comment section.. I'll have to make my way as well.. I expect a deal since I'm friends with the owner!
-B
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Ottawa Busker Fest
--I know I know I've completely sucked at updating Blogs... the truth is I am constantly thinking about blogging but rarely actually sitting down and doing it!---
Last weekend was the Ottawa Busker Festival, in which busker's a.k.a. slightly creepy street performers from all over the world, come to Ottawa to show us their strange and impressive talents. I was in Brampton for most of the weekend so I only caught a few shows on Monday. Basically the busker's set themselves up all along Sparks Street, assemble a huge crowd of people around them, perform for everyone and then super awkwardly ask for money--- sometimes in a long drawn out annoying kind of way that makes you want to walk away and purposely not pay them! For the most part though the whole show is really good and generally most Busker's are pretty funny so its hugely entertaining.
I snapped a few pics for those of you who missed out!
Brynne and Rex came with me!! Beaver Tails are a must any time of year!... get the Maple Syrup one, Brynne got it and it was oh soo soo good!!
Silver Elvis--- not too exciting. He moved robotically to Elvis music. Slightly anti-climatic!
For those living under a box, this is a chalk painting of the famous National Geographic cover from a few years ago. I have no idea how they did this but it is amazing!! Her eyes are crazy in real life and the fact that he captured that with chalk is disgusting! --- Sad that it has rained since then!
So something pretty sweet about the Ottawa Busker Festival is that some pretty big names in the busker world come out! One is John Higby who has performed on David Letterman and holds a Guinness World Record!! He and his wife have performed in over 18 countries. Check out his website yoyoshow.com
He made yo yo look so easy!! Here he is on a giant unicycle and a tiny one all while yo-yoing with two yo yo's!! It was really cool!!
This performer calls herself Bendy Em. She is a contortionist from Sydney Australia. This performance was def. my favourite of the day! In this first picture she is completely folded in half. www.bendyem.com
The men in these photos were both randomly chosen from the audience, which makes the stunts even cooler
I snapped a few pics for those of you who missed out!
Brynne and Rex came with me!! Beaver Tails are a must any time of year!... get the Maple Syrup one, Brynne got it and it was oh soo soo good!!
Silver Elvis--- not too exciting. He moved robotically to Elvis music. Slightly anti-climatic!
For those living under a box, this is a chalk painting of the famous National Geographic cover from a few years ago. I have no idea how they did this but it is amazing!! Her eyes are crazy in real life and the fact that he captured that with chalk is disgusting! --- Sad that it has rained since then!
So something pretty sweet about the Ottawa Busker Festival is that some pretty big names in the busker world come out! One is John Higby who has performed on David Letterman and holds a Guinness World Record!! He and his wife have performed in over 18 countries. Check out his website yoyoshow.com
He made yo yo look so easy!! Here he is on a giant unicycle and a tiny one all while yo-yoing with two yo yo's!! It was really cool!!
This performer calls herself Bendy Em. She is a contortionist from Sydney Australia. This performance was def. my favourite of the day! In this first picture she is completely folded in half. www.bendyem.com
The men in these photos were both randomly chosen from the audience, which makes the stunts even cooler
The Grand Finale of the show is of her squeezing herself into a 16” box!! Its soo cool and yet so disturbing! How is this even possible?!! My legs hurt after sitting cross legged for too long!
I haven't decided yet if the Busker festival is meant to make you feel really untalented --- I kept trying to come up with awesome entertainments I could do.. sadly my best effort was solving a Rubik's Cube, but even that takes me 10 minutes.. I'd have to think of some freakin hilarious jokes. On the other hand I dont think these people have much of a life other than this so maybe its more of a cautionary tale-- spend too much time practicing one thing and this is what you become!! Entertaining either way!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)