Hey, we're famous!

I love this blog a lot. It routinely leads to out loud laughter and is a great quick distraction.

I am so pleased to see my hometown featured.

I can't wait to sleep again

My last paper is due in 23 hours and I have lost the ability to tell what is actually funny. Right now, if it is not about law school, it is funny. This video? Hysterical.

Best Laid Plans

Earlier this week I made the executive decision, that despite the 5000 word paper I still have due next Wednesday, I was taking this afternoon off. After four exams in 7 days, I figured an afternoon off was deserved and would in all likelihood be completely necessary.

I had all these grand plans to get a bunch of stuff done, maybe a little laundry, go shopping, go for a swim. Things that are relaxing and enjoyable and also productive.

Ha. Fat, flipping chance. I woke up this morning, and I was like, "Nope, nope and nope. Nap."

So, I got back from the exam, well exam and then semi-liquid lunch, about 10 minutes ago. So now pyjamas, blanket, heating pad and nap.

I am going to turn off my computer now. And not even consider turning it on until tomorrow morning, 10am. It is going to be a glorious afternoon.

Can I get Sour Cream with those Proroguies?

For Keith. Who is a smarty-pants soon to be Law Student (maybe at U of T!) and didn't know what Prorogue meant.
Sweet Jesus. Funny stuff. Favorite joke at 4:04.

Unbelievably Freaky and Disturbing

Seriously. May cause nightmares. But oddly enthralling.

Fear

This morning I had this awful dream, where I woke up and it was December 5th and my Admin Law exam was tomorrow and...oh, shit.

I gotta go.

I stole this off FB.

I hope I don't get into trouble. I haven't taken IP law yet so I don't know if I can be sued for using this.

Behaving

I am resisting the urge to write my own post, and instead focusing on studying. So in place of my own thoughts please read this. It is funny.

Totally Weird

So I checked out this link that my friend had put up on FB.

I was just playing around, and I did the little questionnaire, guessing what I imagine most of the guys I know would say about me. And damned if I didn't get told to buy myself the perfume I ALREADY HAVE. Totally weird.

K. Back to work now.

Amphetamines would probably be cheaper

Two years ago, in November, it rained so much here in Vancouver that the water treatment facilities couldn’t get all the silt out of the public drinking water. As a result, there was a boil water advisory, because with all the silt in the water, the authorities couldn’t be sure that all the bacteria had been removed. As a result of the advisory, and the timing that it was made (late on a weekday evening, I believe) Starbucks, and numerous other coffee shops simply were not able to prepare coffee.
I remember a newspaper article that came out, from a paper out east, maybe the Globe and Mail, about the advisory and subsequent events. There was a line in the article, which went something like, “In Vancouver, where people carry around their Starbucks coffee cups like baby-bottles…”
This line has stayed in my mind ever since. Especially this time of year, with terrifying exams looming, and small joys few and far between, my coffee cup is my pacifier, my soother, my comfort object. I take the utmost pleasure from wrapping my hands around a steamy, aromatic cup. It's gotten a little extreme in the last little while, though. I've realized that, when I don't have a coffee with me, and I see someone who does, I am irrationally jealous. I want to beat them up and take their coffee.

Admittedly, I may have a problem.

I have no intention of doing anything about it until at least December 18. And probably not until 2009.

Good thing I'll have one to visit soon!

Last night I went to my friend Melania's birthday BBQ at her home. Melania is a friend from Law School who happens to be married with two adorable children. She also happens to have many friends who have adorable children and babies. I got to hold the two month old for about half an hour while his Mama had some dinner. It's so funny when the parents are all like, "Are you sure you don't mind???" and feel really guilty about making some poor girl hold the baby for ages, when I'm all like, "Hey, what's that over there?" and running out the door with the kid.

Seriously, the evening made me get baby fever.

And then someone I know posted this on Facebook:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

It did not help.

A retelling

I mentioned before that the reception desk at school is called the fishbowl, for it's semi-circular round glass window structure. There is also a room at school known as the Fish room. It is the Law Students Legal Advice Program office, where we can work on files, call clients and do research. I was working on some LSLAP stuff last week when I realized I had left my ring in the classroom.

So, I when I realized I had lost my FISH RING, I was in the FISH ROOM. And then somebody turned my FISH RING into the FISH BOWL.

Eh? EH? :)

Dolphin, fish, whatevs.

Us and Them

When I went to UofC the parking services guys drove around campus in Ford Explorers.

Here at UBC they drive SmartCars.

Lost and Found

I have a really bad habit of constantly playing with my jewelry. I am constantly pulling on my pendants, pulling my rings on and off and taking off my bracelets and watches and swinging them around on my finger.
The other day in class I was fiddling with the ring I wear on my left index finger, a silver dolphin that my brother sent to me from India for Christmas, and I wound up dropping it on the floor. It was too far away to just lean over and pick it up, so I thought "I must remember to pick that up when class is over."

I did not remember. Until 30 minutes after class. It was already gone. And believe me, I looked. On my hands and knees.

I was pretty sad, since I wear the same five rings every-day and none of them are really replaceable. And I was ticked off at myself for 1) playing with my jewelry so much that I end up throwing it on the floor and 2) forgetting to pick up the ring after class.

Today I checked with the receptionist at law school (we call it the fishbowl because of the glassed in design of the desk) and lo and behold, someone had turned it in to the lost and found.

Kind of a pointless story, eh? I mean, really, I lost my ring. But I got it back. Whoa. Epic.

Gimme a break. It's less than 3 weeks until exams start. At this point you're lucky to get anything.

Running may be hazardous to your health

Today was a really beautiful day, and when I got home at around dusk, I decided to go for a run, and enjoy the fact that although it was nearly dark at 5:15, it wasn't raining. I run after dark pretty often, but I think that I am smart about it. I stick to pretty main roads, stay out of parks and stuff, and I don't go out late. It was still rush hour when I went out today, so there were tons of cars around.
The route I took this evening had me running North along East Boulevard to get home. For those who don't know, East Boulevard is a residential street that runs parallel to the now defunct railway tracks that run parallel to busier Arbutus street. I really like running North on East Boulevard because it has a nice view of the mountains, and the railway tracks have a grassy area alongside them. When it's light out, I run on that part, but tonight, since it was dark I was running on the street, on the left side, facing what would be oncoming traffic, if the street were busier.
I'm running along, minding my own business, when I see, about 20 ft ahead of me, something moving beside the tracks.

A coyote.

Shit.

I started running away, over to the sidewalk on the other side of the street.

He followed me!

I was just about wetting my pants at this point. I was sure he was going lunge for my leg any second. But when I got into a brightly lit spot under a street lamp, he turned away and went back towards the tracks. My heart was just about exploding out of my chest. I warily watched the coyote trot off for a while, and then decided it was safe to continue my run.

A few blocks later a cat darted out in front of me and I wet my pants.

Kidding. But almost.

ENOUGH ALREADY

I cannot freaking believe this. It is just too weird.

Just got an email from PADI, the society that certifies SCUBA divers. I get about 2 emails from PADI per year. Just so happens that I get one this week. Is that too weird, or am I over-reacting?

Dear Universe, Please stop screwing with me. Sincerely yours, H.

Tonight, after a wretched night sleep last night, and about 6 hours of wading through my Corporations textbook, I decided to head to the pool for a nice swim. Swimming always tires me out and makes me feel relaxed. I love sticking my head underwater, and focusing on nothing except the mechanics of my strokes.

There was a SCUBA diving class taking place in the lane next to mine.

It, um, brought back a few memories. And I wasn't quite as focused on my strokes as I wanted to be.

Stupid Universe.

Um

I don’t think it gets weirder than this. I really don’t.

So, about three years ago I took my first SCUBA diving course. And for the very first time in a long time, I made a new friend. You know, other than at work, or through other friends. I met this really cool girl, and we started hanging out, and became great friends. We took our advanced diving class together. We went running. We went out to breakfast and stuff. It was really awesome. It’s an odd experience, making new friends as an adult, and I felt really lucky to meet a nice person that I connected with.

About a year went by. At a certain point, we hadn’t hung out in a while. I sent an email suggesting breakfast. Nothing. I called and left a voicemail. I apologized for not being in touch for so long. Nothing. I sent one more email. I’m pretty sure I apologized once more. Nothing.

I’ve never really shared this story, because it made me feel so sad and hurt. I was, like, dumped. How lame is that? I wasn’t devastated or anything, but I was sad that things hadn’t worked out. I figured maybe she thought I had neglected our friendship, and not been very available, and thought it wasn’t worth hanging out with anymore. There was also this guy, one of the instructors we had taken our courses with, that she had started dating. I thought maybe, maybe, she was one of THOSE girls. You know, who ditch their friends as soon as a guy comes on the scene. At any rate, I thought two emails and one voicemail unanswered was enough of a hint, and I moved on. I had a lot going on anyway; it was around the time of the BIG CHANGES. C’est la vie, right? Sometimes people just drift apart.

So last night a girl walks into the curling club and my jaw drops. “C_?” She turns around. “H_? Oh my god!”

It was a moment of amazing confusion, and more emotions than I thought was possible to feel simultaneously. We hugged. We chatted. We started catching up (She was there to fill in on a friends team). I told her all about the BIG CHANGES, mentioning, of course, that I wasn’t with Mark anymore. And then I asked about D_, the guy she had been seeing when last we talked.

And her face changed. A lot.

There had been an accident. Last November. Diving on a wreck near Nanaimo. D_ didn’t make it to the surface.

Um.

Again, more emotions than I thought could happen at once.

I don’t know how to feel about this. I feel horrible for her – what a horrific thing to experience. I cannot imagine the grief, the guilt, the loss. She must have been devastated.

I feel ashamed that I wasn’t there, that I didn’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have written off our friendship so easily. I now feel really silly, that I didn’t call one more time, at least let her know when my number changed when I moved. How could I just move on so callously? Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe she never meant to dump me. Maybe I could have been there for her.

I feel devastated that D_ died. He was a really great person that I genuinely liked a lot. I feel horrified imagining what it could be like to be trapped underwater, and watch your air slowly disappear and know you couldn’t make it out. Or maybe he hit his head, and never knew what happened. I don’t know. I can only speculate. But it is terrifying to think about and it makes me feel very cold inside.

I also have no idea what happens next. We exchanged phone numbers. We agreed to see each other soon. I want to see her again. I think. But I feel so weird. So awkward. I feel like I owe an apology. But does she as well? I still feel a little hurt. But I feel like that’s really, really petty, given what happened to her and D_.

Does it even matter any more? Maybe it’s like, whatever, water under the bridge. Sometimes things happen, and you drift, but I think you can always give it another go. It’s always worth having another somebody you care about.

Um.

I could seriously stay up all night thinking about this. I hope I don’t.

This makes me want to cry. Or vomit. I can't decide.

The land of the free. (Unless you're gay!)

Forget for a moment about the civil right issues, although they are terribly relevant, and just think of it like this:

This is simply bullying, exclusion and school-yard meanness of the highest order. Everyone, everyone, has been subject to some kind of exclusion in their life, has been left out of an event or club. Everyone knows how much it hurts to be told "You don't belong. You can't play with us." I have felt it many times. But such slights as I have experienced cannot even begin to compare to the exclusion from a basic societal rite that the vast majority of the public participate in. I cannot imagine the sting of being told that you can't marry the one person in the world you want to recognize as your partner. To be told that your love is not as legitimate as others'. To be told that, although what you want to do harms no one, the community will not allow you do it. That the law will not afford to your partner the protections and privileges that it otherwise would, if your partner were not the same gender as you.

It really does make me want to weep, this injustice to thousands of kind, good people, this stratification of the human race. And to me, it has effectively destroyed any respect I gained for the American voting public as a result of Obama's being elected. Sure, great, they're all patting themselves on the back for making history and electing a black president, but they still hate queers.

I call bullshit.

It has already started

The album I recommended yesterday? They were playing it at the shop I bought my coffee at this morning.

I rule.

So far about 97 out of 150

For my birthday, my brother gave a humorous book called “Stuff White People Like”, which is based on the blog of the same name. The book is essentially a list of 150 things that white people are fans of. The book is both hilarious and accurate.

Number 41 on the list is “Indie Music” and within the description of this item is something I identify with very strongly. “To a white person, being a fan of a band before it gets popular is one of the most important things they can do with their life.” It is so true. I have never felt cooler than when I love something first, and then everyone else catches on.

I picked up a CD two weeks ago, and I think it is my big chance. I am hereby recommending the band Black Kids. I am not entirely sure that they are not already too cool, but I don’t think they have had a ton of commercial success yet. But I am certain that they will. They kind of remind me of the Killers, only they have even more energy, and sexier and catchier lyrics. It’s not a deep, life-changing album or anything, but it is damn fun to listen to, and I am certain it will be a big hit.

And then I can say, “Oh yeah, I was totally blogging about them last November.”

29 on a scale of 1 to 10

On Wednesdays I have a class from 9-10:30am and then I don’t have a class again until 3:00pm. It’s not the best schedule, but it allows me to have Fridays off entirely, which, in my mind, is a totally fair trade. And anyway, with my home a mere 20-minute bus ride away from campus, I do have the option of going home during the break, which has been my M.O. every Wednesday so far this year. That way, I can roll out of bed, not shower, not make lunch, and get to my 9 o’clock on time, and just head home after to worry about details like nutrition and hygiene. It's not the most efficient plan, and I don't get much done in the way of schoolwork, but it's comfortable and convenient.

With finals looming, however, things are going to change. An almost 5 hour slot of time is not to be wasted any longer, and henceforth, I shall be spending 12 hours at the law school on Wednesdays come hell or high water.

So this morning. I showered. I made a (big) lunch. I dressed in my comfy yoga pants. I carefully thought of anything I would need for a big stint in the library. I was late for sports law, but I didn’t care. Sports law class is stupid, and it was more important to be properly prepared for what I had planned. After sports, I went to the SUB to get a good coffee. I went back to the law school, and began to set myself up to hit the books. Only one problem. I HAD NO F-ING BOOKS.

My materials for my Wednesday classes are in a green binder that doesn’t fit into my little backpack, so I just carry the binder in my hands all day. And this morning, I walked out of my house without the f-ing thing.

I am currently typing on my laptop, on the bus home to get my binder. My level of irritation, as you may imagine, is inexpressible.

Weekly Curling Report

October 19 - we lost, but only by 1 point. Which is pretty damn good, considering we had to battle back from a 6 point deficit early in the game. Also, I made Jacqueline throw (several) draws. Jacq is more of a take-out artist, and hadn't put a stone in the house in two games so far this season. But on Sunday, by God, she was drawing, or else. And she did. Smiles all around. Just imagine what we will be able to do on a night our whole team shows up.

Sunnyflower Morning

Walking the Miatch with Andrea on Saturday morning, past the community gardens on the old railway line.

Of two minds...

Part of me thinks she's a brave person, willing to take a chance for love and happiness. The world needs more people who are willing to take risks like this, be a little crazy and just try a little harder.

Another, larger part of me, thinks she is a lunatic, and will spend her senior years talking to her 17 cats.

Nya nya nya nya...

I know at least 2 of my readers will be super-jealous, so yeah, I guess I am bragging a little. Whatever, you have your engagements and home-ownering. Let me have my thing.

Yesterday, I "bumped into" Andrea. Is that not the coolest thing in the world? I mean, Vancouver's pretty big, but there she was leaving the art gallery, and there I was leaving work, and we literally ran into each other on the corner. Pretty fckin sweet.

It was made even funnier by the little inner monologue I had had with myself earlier in the day. I saw this woman walk by the liquor store, and thought to myself for a moment that she looked like Andrea. THEN I thought to myself, "Don't be silly, she lives in LA." AND THEN I thought to myself "No she doesn't. She totally lives HERE! IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER!" It wasn't. But it COULD have been. And then only hours later, by complete coincidence, it WAS her.

Also, we went out for breakfast together this morning.

High school best friend in Vancouver = most awesomest thing in the world.

That is all.

I swear I didn't Google this...

Mallory, Adam, Bryon, Jordan, Vanessa, Nicky, Margot and Claire.

I am pretty damn sure those are, in order of age, of the Pike family of the Baby-Sitter's Club books. Claire and Margot might be switched, though.

I didn't look this up on the internet. I was just something I thought of riding the bus home today. I was wondering if I could remember all their names. And I think I did. Does anyone want to verify this?

Thanks Captain Obvious

From low tide at Spanish Banks in August. Went down with my friend from school and her children. I am so glad I found some kids to play with here.

I Love Presents!

This year I had a whole pile of presents from home. I had some I brought back from Calgary and waited a whole month to open. I'm so patient and mature, don't you think? Anyway, I got some totally awesome shit, including a book that is out of print, that my parents clearly made a serious effort to find for me. I felt all lovely and spoiled. It was great.

And I'll bet you'll never guess who gave me this card:

Take and push this employment you this

I have invented a new game, and it is awesome. Take a colloquial saying and enter it at babelfish.yahoo.com. Translate it into Dutch. Then from Dutch into German. Then from German into French. Then from French into Greek. And then back to English. Laughs every time, I promise. I have been giggling for the last half hour.

But, that is not the point. The point is take and push this employment you this, or, in other words, take this job and shove it.

I am quitting my stupid job. On Friday, my next shift. Very suddenly, I am just not in the mood to sell liquor part time anymore. I want either a better job, or more free time. Either would be fine. I write this, to make me accountable, to make it stick. Otherwise, I will simply keep working there, and not liking it just because I should. Because I can. Because it is relatively easy money. Because I am a wuss, and the simple act of resigning a part time job seems like a major confrontation. But I want very much to not have to go to work a week from Friday, and I am determined to make it happen.

I have an interview tomorrow for a work-study position at the law school. It is as an assistant, in the career services office. It would be extremely flexible, and pay very well. I hope I get it. But if I don't, that's fine. I will just be unemployed for a while, and watch my debt swell, while I sleep in one or two days a week.

Fall Equinox

As the sun officially sets on summer, I was looking back at some of the photos I took over the last few months. This one was taken at my Grandmother's cottage north of the city and I think it is very striking. The sunlight is streaming through the leaves, but also is reflecting off the water behind the trees, giving the effect of light everywhere.

Mr. Jones and Me go shopping

I sing at the grocery store. Okay? I admit it. If the Safeway sound system is playing something I like, I sing along under my breath. I love to sing, and just because I am browsing for produce with a dozen complete strangers isn't going to limit me.
So today, I am trying to figure out what was the best deal on mayonnaise (oddly enough the Miracle Whip in the EZ-Squeeze tube was cheaper, by the millilitre, than Miracle Whip in a jar - surprising) and singing along to the Counting Crows and this sweet, sweet, little old lady turns to me and says, "That's a beautiful voice you have."
I was tickled.

It was a different time

I flipped on the tv this morning, and caught the last half of "Back to the Future" on one of the movie channels. I know, Hurrah! But now that I have a more educated feminist legal perspective, the ending was kind of unsettling to me. You know how Marty gets back home, and it's all different and everyone is all classy and smarter, and George McFly and Biff have sort of switched roles? Well, George has this line, "Oh, Biff, what a character. Always trying to get away with something." And I was like, "um, he tried to rape your wife in high school." Yeah, what a character. Ha ha ha.
On the plus side, the channel I was watching on lets the characters say "asshole." The copy of the movie I had growing up was taped off a channel that wouldn't allow such filthy language.

Edit: Turns out this is a marathon, and now part two is on. They are in the year 2015, 7 years from now. I must say that, as a society, we have a lot of work to do if want to live up to Robert Zemeckis' vision of the future.

Going Alone

Last week I went to see a play all by myself. I had invited this one friend of mine from school, but she was too busy getting ready for a camping trip (unfortunately she has a day job, and can't do all her running around during the afternoons). Since I was taking advantage of this "Student Rush" discount ticket arrangement, I didn't have a lot of time to find another companion, I thought, what the hell, I can go alone. I really wanted to see the show, and it was closing on Saturday, and really, you don't talk at these things, so it's totally cool to go alone, right?
So I go. And I am so very glad I did, because, without exaggeration, I think it was the best show I have ever seen. I loved it. But it was so well done, and so emotional that it made me cry. Not biggie, right? I mean, it was a sad moment, other people were tearing up too, right? Except I went beyond tearing up and a few sniffles. I was so moved, I started sobbing. Silently, of course. But the people sitting next to me could not have missed the heaving shoulders and muffled gasps as I wept openly.
So to recap: alone at the theatre, bawling. So worth it.

My Mom and Dad

I wrote the following a few weeks ago, and the decided to save it and publish it today, on my parents 30th anniversary. I think my parents are amazing, and that I am truly in awe of their marriage, and think I could not be luckier than to be a part of the family they have created.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have been thinking lately how lucky I am that I actually miss my parents. I miss them great deal. The home I grew up in was a warm, wonderful, happy place to be, and although the house has changed, whenever I visit home I feel the same sense of safety, warmth and belonging. As much as I am finding Vancouver a happier place to be these days, I still get homesick, and on less than ideal days, I find myself wishing I could have a big bear hug from my Dad or a soothing shoulder massage from my Mom.

I have a number of friends who don’t particularly find their family to home to be an inviting place. They don’t get along with their parents and visits home are filled with tension and difficulty. Quite a few people I know have to carefully orchestrate visits around the facts of an unhappy divorce. Or they simply find visiting home boring because they have nothing in common with their parents. I also have at least four friends, which seems like a rather high number to me, who lost a parent when they were in their teens. So they miss their Mom or Dad, but can’t ever see them again.

I don’t understand why some people end up drawing the short straw on this one, but all I can say is that I will gladly suffer any other hardships life cares to throw at me, as long as I have my fantastic Mom and Dad at home rooting for me. I miss home, and sometimes that sucks. But I really wouldn’t have it any other way.

What happens after midnight in the law school

There's maybe a dozen people still in the Interaction Area of the law school, and about 10 minutes ago, a chair race broke out. Using the wheeled chairs and a very rigorous set of rules (we are law students after all) several burnt out law students are competing to see who can get the most distance kneeling on a wheeled chair after a running start. Law school is the most weirdly dual thing I've ever experienced. I've never known something to suck so badly and be so much fun at the same time.

He folded my laundry :)

This site is serving to give a much needed giggle here and there while I write the world's shittiest paper. I may have 180 pages to read yet and 3000 words left to write, but the potential next president of the usa is being awfully nice.

The Story of my Contracts Final

It sucked. And I felt like crying. But there were too many people around, and by that point I was just too tired to really care anymore. And now I am still too tired to care, but 4,250 words still stand between me and alternating my time exclusively between sleeping and drinking.

Um, I love this commerical

I don't have another exam until Monday, so last night, I spent a luxurious hour watching television and unwinding after my property exam. It was nice to have bit of a break, and best of all, I saw this new add for Autotrader.com, twice. I know it's kind of vulgar, but I think it is hilarious.

Thrilling News!

I washed my hair today!
No, seriously. Judge me if you want, but you go to law school, and you'll see what passes for excitement 5 days into finals.

The Story of My Constitutional Law Final

It sucked. I cried.
The End.

22

This is how we amuse ourselves while studying for finals.
I am prepared to fight dirty and do whatever it takes to win, even against 5 year olds.

Easier to see the words on the page

I have actually taken to sitting in the interaction area to study. It's a little noisier, sure, but at least I expect it to be a little noisier, I have my headphones in anyway, and it is much easier to study when I am not BLINDED BY RAGE.

I get the distinct impression that a lot of my posts during my exam period will include the gratuitous use of CAPS. Sorry about that, but I don't think it can be helped.

Guess where I am now?

I wish that more people in my program could tell the difference between the Interaction Area (main floor area in the Law building with couches and fooseball table) and the second floor of the library.
I know the difference.
The interaction Area is for INTERACTING. The second floor of the library is for SHUTTING THE FUCK UP.

Injuries

Check out what Storming the Wall does to your upper arms. When you're struggling to get up, the marshals keep screaming at you "ELBOWS! ELBOWS!" to get you to make sure you are firmly on the wall. It puts a wee bit of pressure on the upper arms, and I bruise like a damn peach.




Then there is this little injury. See the little gouge right by my part, on my forehead? On Monday I had a small, informal dinner party, and I accidently broke the cork in the first bottle of wine I opened. I thought I could still corkscrew it out, rather than just push it in, so I drilled the corkscrew way down, but then it was so far down that I couldn't use the little lever mechanism, so I just had to pull. And pull I did. So hard that the cork flew out of the bottle, and I smacked myself in the head with the corkscrew. I actually fell on the floor, I was laughing so hard. I guess I just don't know my own strength.

Better than pictures

I have a video of the Storm the Wall event. I am the first on climbing the wall in the video; it isn't very graceful or dignified. There was a viewing at my house earlier after I had some people over for dinner, and you should have heard Sharon laughing as I struggled to hoist my butt over the wall.
Despite my slow progress, we posted a time good enough to make the finals. Thrilling! Our next heat is on Wednesday.

More like a gentle spring drizzle

Today we had our information clinic and practice time for an intramural event I am participating in next week, Storm the Wall. It is a relay race for teams of five - a swimmer, a sprinter, a cyclist, a runner and one "wall person." Once all the legs of the relay are completed we all meet at the wall and each team member has to get over it, assisted as required by their team. The wall is 12 ft high and entirely flat; there are no holds. You just have to be boosted up, grabbed by your team mates, get your armpits up on the ledge, and swing your legs up. It is really, really hard. And I am afraid of heights. We practiced our team Storming strategy twice, so twice I had to haul my completely bottom-heavy body over the damn wall. I think I might be the weakest link.

This is a good picture. You can see how she is standing on her teammates. I guess I am lucky I am not one of the two tallest members of my team, so I don't have to boost anyone.

Our first heat in the relay is on Monday at lunch. I was very excited about the whole event. But now I am really nervous. I keep telling myself that I got over it fine twice today, why would I fail to get over on Monday? But still, today I didn't have the added challenge of being tired from a 225 meter swim right before. Wish me luck. Hopefully I will post pictures after the event.

Coyote, Fox or Flamingo

There's this guy at school who's name I cannot remember. I feel very badly about this, as he and I are on a "hi, how are you?" basis around the Law building, and I even gave him a lift home once. But damned if I can remember his name. Although, for some reason I am pretty sure it is either Brandon, Brendon or Josh.

The Judges got me drunk!

No seriously.
I will totally explain this tomorrow in detail when I am not drunk and it is not one-thirty in the morning.

Allsorts

I just got home from voting in a Federal by-election. Without any regard for the whole "secret ballot" thing, I will tell you. I voted Liberal. I will probably vote Liberal until the day I die. The other day I took a "mini-quiz" online to determine my political beliefs. I was the most Liberal it was possible to be. My economic and social views correlate perfectly to the traditional conception of Liberal politics. It was actually kind of odd that the results were so strong.

Even though there are no first year classes on Mondays I had to go to school because I said I would help out with a bake sale for the Rugby team. Afterwards, I hung around, ostensibly to work on my arguments for my moot court appearance tomorrow. I would not classify it as a very productive day by any means (I left school with about 2 paragraphs written), but it is exactly what I though Law school would/should be like. Sitting around with a bunch of smart, interesting, fun people discussing legal arguments, moral ideas, politics, and policy. I felt so happy doing exactly what I was doing, even though I wasn't putting any words on paper or making visible progress. The ideas and the camaraderie were absolutely fantastic though. It was a very enjoyable (and nerdy) afternoon.

I am trying to get through this week on $7.60 worth of groceries. I bought a loaf of bread and some fresh fruit and veg on the way home today. There is peanut butter, tuna fish, tomato soup, Kraft Dinner and rice in the cupboards, and frozen peas and corn in the freezer, so I think it is totally doable. That should leave about $30 in my budget for the week. I am a little short because I spent so much money this weekend. I had a coupon for 15% off at Lush, that expired on Saturday. So clearly I HAD to spend $25 on bubble bath. CLEARLY.
I am totally shit at this budget thing.

Magical Rape-Repellent Pants

If you want something to be outraged and completely baffled by check out this Italian case.

Remember girls, wear your jeans to be protected from non-consensual sex. And if you're wearing a skirt you're probably asking for it anyway.

Almost ready to admit it

The other day I absentmindedly started rubbing my eyes. And then I thought "wow, my eyes are really itchy. I wonder why my eyes are so itchy?" This thought gave me flashback to a conversation I had with Mark at approximately this time last year.

"Frick, my eyes are really itchy."

"Stop rubbing them"

"I can't help it, they're really itchy. I wonder why my eyes are so itchy"

"Maybe you have allergies."

"That's ridiculous. I don't have allergies."

"Yeah, you probably do."

"No I don't."

"You might."

"I DON'T!"

I'm not sure if those were our exact words, but you get the gist. It was a very mature and grown up conversation as you can tell. As you can also tell, I am very resistant to the idea of having "seasonal allergies." I don't like to admit illness at any time, and "season allergies" seem like an especially pathetic ailment to cop to. It makes me feel like princess who can't take a little fuzz in the air. Furthermore, I went 24 years without any springtime complaint. I find it ridiculous to think that I just suddenly develop such sensitivity.

Anyway, last year I just bought some eye drops and continued to complain about dry itchy eyes for a couple weeks, and then it got better.

So, now, suspiciously, at about the same time of year, I have again been stricken with mysterious itchy eyes. And this year also a very runny nose, and uncontrollable sneezing. Before noon today I had already logged at least 6 big sneezes.

This morning I bought a box of antihistamines at London Drugs and took one. So far, my desire to claw out my eyeballs has completely subsided, and I am getting longer and longer breaks between sneezes.

I don't like what all this implies.

Robbed

Tonight at work, Sharon and I were robbed.

This guy comes in, picks up two 40s, walks over to the counter and says something to the effect of "I am taking these out of the store. You're not going to stop me."

I was totally bewildered, and I think I said "Pardon?" And I think he repeated himself.

In my total bewilderment I stepped between him and the exit and said, "No, you can't do that."

He took a step towards me and said something like, "You don't want to do that." I then realized what I was doing, and realized how unbelievably stupid it was to try and stop this guy over two stupid bottles.

But oddly enough, before I processed this thought and actually moved out of his way, HE turned around a left through the entrance.

It was all very strange. We called the non-emergency police line and they responded very quickly (to my surprise) and actually took a report and stuff. But of course didn't offer much hope of catching the guy (duh).

I was SUPER pissed off. I felt like we had been taken advantage of for being girls. I m totally sure it wouldn't have happened if my big, male manager had been in the store. It was an opportunistic crime, and the opportunity was a liquor store staffed by only two chicks. I went on a full rant to Sharon about how mad it made me.

Then this guy came in with a 5-week old puppy and he totally let me hold it. And he wriggled all around in my arms and climbed on my shoulders and licked me. It was awesome.

But I am still mad. I totally wish I had kicked that dipshit in the balls.

Going for Run/Walk

IT IS 12 FREAKING DEGREES. Vancouver is AWESOME.

I am heading out to enjoy the sunshine for a bit. It is my hope that I can run for about 30 minutes, but we will see what my wonky back and shoulders have to say about it. It might be more of a stroll.

I am not going to take my camera , but if I did, I would post some pictures later of all the crocuses and snowdrops that have started blooming. ;)

Hugs to all of you still wearing long johns...

Hives!

Yeah, so still allergic.

Fingers Crossed

When I was in grade 8, I injured my back slipping and falling running hurdles. My mom bought me some Robaxasol (a version of Robaxacet) and when I took it, my entire body broke out in hives. We reached the conclusion that I was allergic to something in the medication, but never really figured out what exactly.
Last night at the library, I turned my head slightly in one direction and immediately thought "uh-oh." Something twinged between my shoulder blades, and since that time, I've had very little luck with moving my body at all. So this morning, I (gingerly) walked over to London Drugs to buy an ice pack and take at look at my options for an OTC back pain medication. Turns out it is basically Robaxacet or nothing. So I read the labels, and found out that both Robaxacet and Robaxasol have the same muscle relaxant in them, but different pain reliever - one has acetaminophen (Tylenol) and one has ASA (Aspirin). I decided to take the chance that my reaction long ago was to the Aspirin, rather than to the muscle relaxant. Or alternatively the chance that maybe I've outgrown the allergy.
So, fingers crossed now that I won't have to add "allergic reaction" to my list of woes for the day.

AKA

It's currently reading week. Based on my behavior and plans so far it could more accurately be referred to as any (or all) of the following:

sleeping week
watching curling week
finally go skiing week
go for long walks in the sunshine week
watching DVDs of Boston Legal week
recreational (as opposed to necessary) coffee drinking week

Damn, I need to get to work.

Still totally worth it

It's almost 2:30 am. I had a double espresso a couple of hours ago to keep me going. I am working on the goddamn citations in my assignment (I hate citations, and insist that in this day in age they are friggin' obsolete - just google it for crying out loud).

Monday night was still totally worth it.

And I finally listened to the Shuyler Jansen CD today. Totally awesome. It is called "Today's Remains" Buy it.

I regret nothing

It is quarter to 1 in the morning on a school night. I had three beers tonight, which is three beers to many for a Monday. I spent $30 on CDs, leaving my weekly budget at negative $20. I have about 400 hours of work to do on an assignment that is due Friday at 4pm, and I will be cursing this evening's recklessness at around 3 am on Friday morning, as I peck away at it. I just shared a 10 McNugget Value meal with my friend Nikki and I am about to go to bed with 500 extra calories in my belly.

BUT IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT. I just got back from the live show of Jim Bryson and Shuyler Jansen at the Media Club. It was so awesome. Easily the most intimate show I have ever been to, I got to ask Shuyler specifically which of his two CDs I should buy, since I could only afford to buy one, and I got Jim to autograph the copy of his latest CD that I bought. It was like heaven for indie music nerds.

And I really enjoyed hanging out with a newish friend who I haven't really done the whole one on one girl-date thing with before. But we had an awesome time, and shared some seriously great laughs.

So totally worth it. So skipping Contracts tomorrow. :)

Hilarious Quotes from Work Today

"And we've still only had one customer today."
"No, we've had two. I just sold two bottles of wine."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. I was too busy thinking about syphilis"

"Blink-182 BROKE UP? I thought they were just resting!"
"Yeah. Resting like that goldfish you had when you were 8"

"i hate this song"
"I've never heard it before. What is it?"
"I think she's singing 'Love Burns' "
"Aaand we're back to syphilis."

I promised my co-worker that I would keep it anonymous, but these were such gems that I had to share.

Sharon to the rescue

Yesterday I was pretty excited to go to work, because I was working for the first time with my friend Sharon (who got me the job), who just got back from a month and change in Australia. After she got her till counted and set up she said to me "I brought you a coke, if you want it and I brought pancakes too." This seemed extremely random, so I asked "Pancakes?" and she said "Yeah, it's Pancake Tuesday!"

How could have forgot? I love pancake tuesday - it is a family tradition.

I was extremely grateful to Sharon for making sure I participated in the annual tradition as we dipped our microwaved Eggo pancakes into tiny beer-tasting cups of maple syrup (that I picked up in the tourist section of the Bay) and ate them standing over the sink. Afterwards, we drank the remaining maple syrup straight out of the cups.

Rubbernecking

I feel bad, but I can't help it. I swear this is the meanest piece of gossip I will ever post, but it is too much of an odd situation not to post. It just feels a bit like staring at a grisly highway accident.

There was this rumor floating around school during our first week. It seemed really crazy, and a bunch of us figured that it had to be a joke, something concocted by the second years to see how gullible all us innocent first years were. But no, my friend later did a little googling and voila, we had confirmation that indeed, a second year student had been arrested, charged, and was awaiting trial for second degree murder. And it seems like there's pretty substantial proof that he did it - there is security video of the incident - it is just a matter of whether he has a reasonable defense of lack of intent, or self defense or something.

After a while, we finally figured out who he was so now I see him occasionally around campus, and it is just a little odd. I have no idea what is actually going on with the case and all that, though I figure he must be pretty confident that he'll get off, if he is still devoting his time to law school.

Dude is currently sitting a few tables away from me in the library. It doesn't really make me uncomfortable, but it is sort of distracting.

If you don't believe me about this, I can send you a link to a news paper article confirming my very odd story, but I am not going to post a link to it. It seems too morbid.

Yeah, posting the link seems morbid, but the rest of this post is just fine. Riiight.

Correlation?

I know three guys at school who either live in a condo their parents bought for them, or live rent free in their parent's basement suite in Point Grey (minutes from UBC, huge old houses). I don't particularly like any of them, and I think they are extremely annoying.

A new flavour of salad dressing

The other day I was in London Drugs and I found these packets of Indian spice mixes. A quick perusal of the back of the butter chicken spice suggested that it wouldn't be too hard to make my favorite take-out menu item at home. I was skeptical that it would be any good, but I decided to give it a try. $1.79 wasn't too much of a risk to take.

Tonight after a long day at the library and a solid workout at the gym, I decided to pick up some cheap chicken thighs and some yoghurt and make myself a delicious dinner. IT WAS TO DIE FOR. I almost licked the frying pan clean after. And I certainly licked the spatula.

Tomorrow I am going back to LD and buying at least a dozen more packets (they are 2 for $2.29). And then it is going to be a Butter-chicken-sauce-fest. There is a good chance I will be slathering it on my broccoli, trying it with chick-peas, and quite possibly toping my oatmeal with it in the morning.

Tang to the rescue, again

So, I am on my way shortly to an 80's party hosted by the Law Student's for Choice. The party is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the very important (to women's rights) case of R. v. Morgentaler.
In the interest of being a poor student, I thought I would do a little pre-drinking before heading out. Sadly there is not a beer in the house. What I did have though, was some Absolut Vanilla. I'm not much for straight hard liquor, so I needed some mix, but I didn't have any pop or juice. But you know what I still have?? Two packets of Tang, previously mentioned in this post.
I should have a nice buzz on by the time I get to the party.

Note to self Re: wind warnings

If there is a wind warning for the Vancouver area, you probably don't want to go for a run. If you are stubborn about it, and decide to go anyway, you certainly do not want to run on the seawall. If you somehow find yourself on the seawall anyway, you absolutely do not want to be running west, INTO the wind.

My ears are sore.