Not everything is crazy romantic... or really even all that meaningful. As anyone who knows me can attest, I am hardly what you would call a really girlie girl, or overly romantic. When you are with someone for ten years, everyday is not going to be roses and silk sheets. Sometimes laundry has to get done, sometimes you are going to argue (mostly about whats for dinner and who is going to make it, if you us anyway). I think one of the wonderful things about a real relationship is the real days. Knowing that someone likes you, loves you, heck just wants to be around you even if you are grumpy, mean, have bad hair, or morning breath, someone who will happily watch baking shows, or storage wars, and eat popcorn for dinner just because you are too lazy to make anything else. I am happy to be romantic, but I am just as happy to just be.
I love to dance. (not a great segway, but it leads up to today's song choice). I used to be a bar chick, not because I like to drink, or meet people, but because I loved to dance. When we first started dating, we were still young enough to spend a lot of our weekends at the bar, and I love this song and got Len to request it for me all the time. So this is Len's pick of a song that reminds him of me, because I like to dance... oh and yes the meaning behind the song works too :)
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Bookworm Wednesday
This week's review is
The novel takes place in 'present day' with the arrival of aliens. Unlike many alien novels and movies, there isn't a great war. The aliens already learned English (or whatever language they need) and have come to speak with specialists in many academic fields. The novel centres around Thomas Jericho a paleontologist at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. The alien, named Hollus, is a large spider like creature that has come to discuss Earth's past in hopes of further understanding God and over specific events occurring throughout the universe. This of course leads to many discussions about belief, religion and science.
The book is mostly a "talking" book. Hollus the alien, believes that the existence of God is obvious by everything that has happened throughout history that made it possible for life to exist. Jericho has his doubts, especially since he is currently dying from cancer. They have interesting theories. One such example is water. Water when it freezes, it freezes from the top down, not the bottom up, if this were not so life could never exist. Water actually has seven properties that are unique in the chemical world. Hollus argues that the chance of this is almost nil, and therefore an indication of intelligent design.
Overall I enjoyed the novel thoroughly, the prose is simply written and the story flows quite naturally and quickly despite the overall lack of "action". The deeper questions are intriguing and make you think, I thought about this book long after I had finished it.
Like most science fiction, the major flaw is the ending. Where the book spends most of its time in philosophical debate, the ending is quite fantastical, and perhaps a little unbelievable (I understand that with Sci-fi there is a certain level of suspension of disbelief) but the ending left me a little disappointed. However I highly recommend this book.
Calculating God by Robert J Sawyer
The novel takes place in 'present day' with the arrival of aliens. Unlike many alien novels and movies, there isn't a great war. The aliens already learned English (or whatever language they need) and have come to speak with specialists in many academic fields. The novel centres around Thomas Jericho a paleontologist at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. The alien, named Hollus, is a large spider like creature that has come to discuss Earth's past in hopes of further understanding God and over specific events occurring throughout the universe. This of course leads to many discussions about belief, religion and science.
The book is mostly a "talking" book. Hollus the alien, believes that the existence of God is obvious by everything that has happened throughout history that made it possible for life to exist. Jericho has his doubts, especially since he is currently dying from cancer. They have interesting theories. One such example is water. Water when it freezes, it freezes from the top down, not the bottom up, if this were not so life could never exist. Water actually has seven properties that are unique in the chemical world. Hollus argues that the chance of this is almost nil, and therefore an indication of intelligent design.
Overall I enjoyed the novel thoroughly, the prose is simply written and the story flows quite naturally and quickly despite the overall lack of "action". The deeper questions are intriguing and make you think, I thought about this book long after I had finished it.
Like most science fiction, the major flaw is the ending. Where the book spends most of its time in philosophical debate, the ending is quite fantastical, and perhaps a little unbelievable (I understand that with Sci-fi there is a certain level of suspension of disbelief) but the ending left me a little disappointed. However I highly recommend this book.
The story of us
When Len and I were in our first thralls of love (by which I mean, when we were hanging out and it was more than regular friendship) I was living in Toronto going to school at George Brown. I lived all alone in not the seediest but not the greatest apartment out on the Danforth. At the time I was spending pretty much all my money on rent for less than wonderful apartment, transportation and tuition. This left little money over for anything else. So at night when Len would call to talk to me, and inevitably when we ran out of things to talk about since we had already knew each other for ten years, he would ask "what did you have for dinner?" The answer was almost always the same, toast and peanut butter, I was quite the culinary wizard. There was one unfortunate incident with what I thought were pre-cooked sausages, thank goodness I am now a vegetarian.
That year for Christmas I gave Len a six dollar book, which I am pretty sure he had already read. It was the first Lord of the Rings, to this day he still says it was one of the best Christmas presents he has ever received (did I mention he was very kind). He gave me a gift certificate to a grocery store. He wanted to make sure I was well fed, though I probably just bought more peanut butter and bread, the fact that he wanted to take care of me didn't go unnoticed.
So tonight's song is Armour by Blue Rodeo. I cannot seem to find a video to share, but the reason this song reminds me of Len is one line, near the end of the song "I can't say I can save you , but I swear I won't leave you alone". It sentiment is sweet, No one can make your life perfect, no one can fix all your problems, or somehow make you complete. But what they can do is make sure whatever happens in your life good or bad you will have someone standing by your side to share your joy and lessen your pain.
I really wish you could listen to it. Probably you should go out and buy it :)
That year for Christmas I gave Len a six dollar book, which I am pretty sure he had already read. It was the first Lord of the Rings, to this day he still says it was one of the best Christmas presents he has ever received (did I mention he was very kind). He gave me a gift certificate to a grocery store. He wanted to make sure I was well fed, though I probably just bought more peanut butter and bread, the fact that he wanted to take care of me didn't go unnoticed.
So tonight's song is Armour by Blue Rodeo. I cannot seem to find a video to share, but the reason this song reminds me of Len is one line, near the end of the song "I can't say I can save you , but I swear I won't leave you alone". It sentiment is sweet, No one can make your life perfect, no one can fix all your problems, or somehow make you complete. But what they can do is make sure whatever happens in your life good or bad you will have someone standing by your side to share your joy and lessen your pain.
I really wish you could listen to it. Probably you should go out and buy it :)
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
The story of us
In ten days we will be celebrating our ten year anniversary. It is crazy to think it has been a decade since Len and I got together. In some ways it has passed in such a blur, in other ways I feel like I have been with him forever (and I mean that in the very best way. Len is the kind of guy you would want your daughter to pick, and believe me my parents would attest to that. He is kind and caring, he is funny and smart, he is loving and loyal, and incredibly cute to boot.
So for the next ten days I am going to do a little count down of ten of "our songs". Now most people's "song" is the first song they danced to together. I met Len in highschool, and neither of us have any idea what song we may have danced to, which probably isn't a terrible thing since we most likely danced at a high school dance and it probably would have been like Mariah Carey or Savage Garden or TLC or something I don't really like. The good thing is we get to pick our "song" and so this list is songs that remind of us each other, and they all have their own special meanings.
Now Len and I actually met in high school, though we didn't start dating until ten years later. He has very slow game, but its paid off in the end, so I am not one to criticize. He says it should have been obvious back then that he liked me, since he walked me home from school all the time, even though it was many blocks past his own home. I assumed he was just being friendly, he tells me I was being dumb. He then encouraged a friend to ask me out, and I dated that guy for a year, whose being dumb now? Len dated another one of our friends for two years. I left for university and dated a classmate for five years, Len stayed home, got a job and dated a girl for three years. However suddenly in 2001 we were both single at the same time, and despite the fact that I now lived two and a half hours away we finally had a chance. Long distance phone bills aside, it was a great time, and I have never looked back. I am glad he was shy and I was dumb in high school, because we came together as adults and it worked out, how shall I put it. Marvelously.
So to start it off we are actually going to go with one of Lenny's picks. He says he thinks of me when he hears "kiss from a rose" by Seal. Apparently at prom, we danced together (although we both would have been dating other people at the time.) We didn't just dance either, we apparently sang at the top of our lungs and believe me, no one really wants to hear me sing. This makes Len smile, as I said he is very kind. Now I say apparently because I don't remember this happening at all, I asked him many times, if he was sure it was meet and not some other girl. He assures me it was me, and since it does sound like me, and since Len isn't known to be a liar, I guess I will choose to believe him.
Enjoy
So for the next ten days I am going to do a little count down of ten of "our songs". Now most people's "song" is the first song they danced to together. I met Len in highschool, and neither of us have any idea what song we may have danced to, which probably isn't a terrible thing since we most likely danced at a high school dance and it probably would have been like Mariah Carey or Savage Garden or TLC or something I don't really like. The good thing is we get to pick our "song" and so this list is songs that remind of us each other, and they all have their own special meanings.
Now Len and I actually met in high school, though we didn't start dating until ten years later. He has very slow game, but its paid off in the end, so I am not one to criticize. He says it should have been obvious back then that he liked me, since he walked me home from school all the time, even though it was many blocks past his own home. I assumed he was just being friendly, he tells me I was being dumb. He then encouraged a friend to ask me out, and I dated that guy for a year, whose being dumb now? Len dated another one of our friends for two years. I left for university and dated a classmate for five years, Len stayed home, got a job and dated a girl for three years. However suddenly in 2001 we were both single at the same time, and despite the fact that I now lived two and a half hours away we finally had a chance. Long distance phone bills aside, it was a great time, and I have never looked back. I am glad he was shy and I was dumb in high school, because we came together as adults and it worked out, how shall I put it. Marvelously.
So to start it off we are actually going to go with one of Lenny's picks. He says he thinks of me when he hears "kiss from a rose" by Seal. Apparently at prom, we danced together (although we both would have been dating other people at the time.) We didn't just dance either, we apparently sang at the top of our lungs and believe me, no one really wants to hear me sing. This makes Len smile, as I said he is very kind. Now I say apparently because I don't remember this happening at all, I asked him many times, if he was sure it was meet and not some other girl. He assures me it was me, and since it does sound like me, and since Len isn't known to be a liar, I guess I will choose to believe him.
Enjoy
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Sunday at the movies
Not to become redundant or boring, but its been a slow weekend, and with the Vegan challenge over I have yet to decide where I am going with the blog. So today I had the great pleasure of taking four kids to the show. It was rainy and blah out and we decided a Christmas movie might cheer us up. So off we went to see Arthur Christmas.
Now I can totally see why parents don't want to cart a bunch of kids to the movies, one there is all the wrangling to get them going and then there is the fact that it is very expensive. I am lucky that these are some of the best behaved kids ever so I had no qualms about going, and their aunt gave us the tickets, though concession cost almost 30 dollars, but the good kids all wanted frozen yogurt and not candy so good on them.
The outing was lovely, the movie, not so much. General plot, Arthur wants to deliver a forgotten package, much hi jinx ensues and we all learn a lesson about how we are all important. It just wasn't that funny. But at least it was short. I would have much rather taken them to the Muppets, but I was overruled, silly toddlers. I say wait for the video
Now I can totally see why parents don't want to cart a bunch of kids to the movies, one there is all the wrangling to get them going and then there is the fact that it is very expensive. I am lucky that these are some of the best behaved kids ever so I had no qualms about going, and their aunt gave us the tickets, though concession cost almost 30 dollars, but the good kids all wanted frozen yogurt and not candy so good on them.
The outing was lovely, the movie, not so much. General plot, Arthur wants to deliver a forgotten package, much hi jinx ensues and we all learn a lesson about how we are all important. It just wasn't that funny. But at least it was short. I would have much rather taken them to the Muppets, but I was overruled, silly toddlers. I say wait for the video
Friday, 2 December 2011
Friday night at the movies
Tonight I had the great pleasure to hang out with my favourite twelve year old. We had a little movie date and went to see Breaking Dawn.
Now I have read all the Twilight books and yes I have seen the other movies, but unlike its predecessors breaking dawn was actually pretty good. Now by pretty good I don't mean I would rush out to see it twice, or want to own it but I definitely better then the terribleness of the first three. Kirsten's Bella is far less awkward here, perhaps it is the character's mommy storyline that made her less stunted, she had to have a certain amount of fierceness and fragility in the role and I have to say she pulled it off.
There is something that doesn't translate well from the books to the screen. The over the top romanticness of the book comes off plain creepy in the movies. This sequel seem to have much less of that.
The phenomenon perplexes me. The novels are adequate and easy reads, but the story is hardly in depth and in some places it is down right bad. The message seems to tell girls that they need to be loved and without a boyfriend they will or should fall apart. The idea that love is somehow so all consuming is beyond me. However I get the idea of wanting to feel super special and accepted. and hey sometimes you just want a nice piece of fluff.
I would recommend the books over the movie. But I had a lovely time with my young friend, who by the way was slightly grossed out by the movie's more graphic scenes. So maybe wait for fourteen?
Now I have read all the Twilight books and yes I have seen the other movies, but unlike its predecessors breaking dawn was actually pretty good. Now by pretty good I don't mean I would rush out to see it twice, or want to own it but I definitely better then the terribleness of the first three. Kirsten's Bella is far less awkward here, perhaps it is the character's mommy storyline that made her less stunted, she had to have a certain amount of fierceness and fragility in the role and I have to say she pulled it off.
There is something that doesn't translate well from the books to the screen. The over the top romanticness of the book comes off plain creepy in the movies. This sequel seem to have much less of that.
The phenomenon perplexes me. The novels are adequate and easy reads, but the story is hardly in depth and in some places it is down right bad. The message seems to tell girls that they need to be loved and without a boyfriend they will or should fall apart. The idea that love is somehow so all consuming is beyond me. However I get the idea of wanting to feel super special and accepted. and hey sometimes you just want a nice piece of fluff.
I would recommend the books over the movie. But I had a lovely time with my young friend, who by the way was slightly grossed out by the movie's more graphic scenes. So maybe wait for fourteen?
Thursday, 1 December 2011
The dilemma
Well as the vegan challenge comes to an end there is this dilemma as to whether or not I want to make a life long commitment to this, or least for the foreseeable future. The simple answer is, well no, but the process of coming to that conclusion is slightly more complicated.
I have seen the movies, Food Inc, Forks over Knives, and I have read the books, The Kind Life, Skinny Bitch, Sugar Blues. There are many reasons to live a vegan life. There are health issues, that by removing meats and dairy from your diet you allow your body to perform in better ways. There are environmental issues, the production of meat, especially red meat puts an incredible strain on the environment. There are social issues, a world without the meat and dairy industry could provide more food to more people given the funds and lands currently dedicated to those industries. There is the animal issue, that there are many animals dealt with cruelly, raised and killed for consumption.
Knowing all of this can weigh heavily on one's mind but there are also reasons to eat a more omnivoric diet. There are proteins and vitamins easily accessible through meat. There is the fact that it is tasty. There is the fact that it is easy. There is the fact that it is readily available, and in many ways can support local economies.
Part of my problem with labeling yourself a vegetarian, a vegan, a pescatarian or whatever is that you are is defining yourself but what you are not. I won't eat beef, I don't eat cheese. It has an inherently negative connotation. One that people are all too happy to jump all over, like they just want to catch you in some sort lie to prove they are right in their own choices. If a "regular" person does not eat broccoli because they don't like it, then how is it different than that fact that I won't eat a hamburger. To be fair some vegans act superior to everyone around them and gladly berate people for their choices, all because they are a fifth level vegan who doesn't eat anything that casts a shadow. I guess my main problem is with jerky people.
So here is what it comes down to for me. I will continue to omit beef, chicken, pork, turkey and such from my diet. I will try to greatly limit the amount of dairy I consume. I will however not panic about it. I won't skim through all the ingredients and reject something based on the fact that skim milk powder is an ingredient. If you bake me a muffin, I will eat it, even if you used eggs. If its pizza night, I may or may not have cheese. I will occasionally eat fish. I will not judge those around me for their choices. I chose to live positively, I believe for my part the planet might be a little greener, an animal may live a better life, and I won't feel the heaviness of something dying just so I can have a snack (and yes I have incredible guilt when I eat fish cause he could be swimming in the ocean and like Avatar I do offer up a little thanks I am just that nerdy)
So in the name of science I weighed myself today and I lost two pounds. Sad because I felt it was more, and I thought my clothes were fitting a little better but perhaps that was all in my head. Frustrating, reading all those books about how "oh being vegan I lost thirty pounds in three months" "oh I have never felt better my diabetes is gone" It doesn't surprise me that my weight is the same but I also believe there are more important things than weight, and that health and my conscience feel just fine.
One final annoying thing. Len who cheated many times lost 13 pounds. My only conclusion is boys are stupid or he is a witch.
I have seen the movies, Food Inc, Forks over Knives, and I have read the books, The Kind Life, Skinny Bitch, Sugar Blues. There are many reasons to live a vegan life. There are health issues, that by removing meats and dairy from your diet you allow your body to perform in better ways. There are environmental issues, the production of meat, especially red meat puts an incredible strain on the environment. There are social issues, a world without the meat and dairy industry could provide more food to more people given the funds and lands currently dedicated to those industries. There is the animal issue, that there are many animals dealt with cruelly, raised and killed for consumption.
Knowing all of this can weigh heavily on one's mind but there are also reasons to eat a more omnivoric diet. There are proteins and vitamins easily accessible through meat. There is the fact that it is tasty. There is the fact that it is easy. There is the fact that it is readily available, and in many ways can support local economies.
Part of my problem with labeling yourself a vegetarian, a vegan, a pescatarian or whatever is that you are is defining yourself but what you are not. I won't eat beef, I don't eat cheese. It has an inherently negative connotation. One that people are all too happy to jump all over, like they just want to catch you in some sort lie to prove they are right in their own choices. If a "regular" person does not eat broccoli because they don't like it, then how is it different than that fact that I won't eat a hamburger. To be fair some vegans act superior to everyone around them and gladly berate people for their choices, all because they are a fifth level vegan who doesn't eat anything that casts a shadow. I guess my main problem is with jerky people.
So here is what it comes down to for me. I will continue to omit beef, chicken, pork, turkey and such from my diet. I will try to greatly limit the amount of dairy I consume. I will however not panic about it. I won't skim through all the ingredients and reject something based on the fact that skim milk powder is an ingredient. If you bake me a muffin, I will eat it, even if you used eggs. If its pizza night, I may or may not have cheese. I will occasionally eat fish. I will not judge those around me for their choices. I chose to live positively, I believe for my part the planet might be a little greener, an animal may live a better life, and I won't feel the heaviness of something dying just so I can have a snack (and yes I have incredible guilt when I eat fish cause he could be swimming in the ocean and like Avatar I do offer up a little thanks I am just that nerdy)
So in the name of science I weighed myself today and I lost two pounds. Sad because I felt it was more, and I thought my clothes were fitting a little better but perhaps that was all in my head. Frustrating, reading all those books about how "oh being vegan I lost thirty pounds in three months" "oh I have never felt better my diabetes is gone" It doesn't surprise me that my weight is the same but I also believe there are more important things than weight, and that health and my conscience feel just fine.
One final annoying thing. Len who cheated many times lost 13 pounds. My only conclusion is boys are stupid or he is a witch.
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