Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Winter, where art thou?

This week has been a train wreck. WAY too much work, on all fronts...and it's not over yet. AArrgh! I hate this time of year! The only redeeming part of this period is the fact that it's followed by a really GOOD time of year...
Ah, sweet winter. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...Hanukkah with the family, Christmas with the friends, snow, winter fashion, my birthday, time off school...who wants to waste their time with summer? Winter rules.
If only it would start already.

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

I'm not kidding

They are selling Harry Potter grapes at Wal-mart in Texas (I found it online, and it's not a joke). I love this world!
(You can click on the title of this entry for the link).

Monday, November 22, 2004

Eating Habits of the Working Student

Me, at work, half an hour to go:
So hungry! Get home, stirfry- fresh veggies, garlic and chicken, teriaki sauce, white rice...Mmm!

Me, at work, just closing:
SO hungry! Get home, spaghetti- frozen veggies, canned sauce, noodles...Mmm.

Me, waiting for the bus:
SOo hungry! Get home, frozen pizza...Mmm...

Me, on the way home:
SOoo hungry! Get home, Chef Boyardee...Mmm?

Me, finally at home:
SOOo hungry!...Microwave popcorn. *Sigh*

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Crazy week and a half-formed escape plan

I know that I haven't written lately, and I do feel bad, but those of you out there who are students, or remember what that was like, know that this is a terrible time of year for us, and that come mid-November, the term 'free time' has a tendency to lose all meaning. As soon as I finish this, in fact, I swear I'm submitting my work for the group project that I have due on Friday (no, it's not late!). Then it's on to the two essays, and the mid-term I have to write on Wednesday. Fun week (SARCASM!). On the upside, as soon as this week is over, I'm taking off- no ifs, ands or buts. If I survive, I'm gone to Toronto for at least a couple of days. Then it's spend, spend, spend for the holidays! I've got so many good ideas this year, although a few of them are a little hard to acquire. Don't know how I'm going to do this, but I always find a way. I swear, buying things for people is probably my favourite part of the holidays!
And I've been beading still, too. I LOVE the new bracelet I just made- very retro. And I learned how to make earrings, (bought some new tools for the job), and my Mom is going to love my new creations (I hope, especially since I don't change my earrings- I'm going to have to stop that!).
And I hate that it hasn't snowed again yet. I don't like being teased by the weather, and this is annoying.
One last thing, something I am SO upset about. I have lost a ring. I wear rings on almost all my fingers, and one of my thumb rings slipped off last weekend (probably outside somewhere, on my way to or from work,) and I haven't been able to find it anywhere. It sucks, because the ring was a birthday gift from a friend, and I haven't had the heart to admit that it's gone to them yet (if you read this before I get the chance to talk to you, I'm SO Sorry!) Plus, having a ring missing is so disconcerting, too. I keep having this 'absent' feeling like something is wrong and it makes it hard to concentrate. It's gotten to the point where I need to replace this thing soon, or forfeit all the work I have due this week for lack of focus.
And on that note, and personal reminder of the mountain or assignments awaiting me, I take my leave of you all. If you're a student too, then I sympathize with your (presumably) similar crazed study schedule, if you're a shopper, I sympathize with your crazed gift-buying schedule! And if you're a friend or family member reading this, feel free to use this site as your 'requests to Bethany-Clause' message opportunity!
Have a good night, everyone, and pray for snow!

Friday, November 12, 2004

The week came down like snow

Wow, I think my head is going to explode. But, I haven't blogged in ages, and a very busy week has been to blame. On the upside, this give me TONS of stuff to fill you all in on.
First, the bastard property manager who assaulted my housemate got fired on Monday evening, and an hour later all our locks had been changed. My housemates and I were thrilled with the response and support we received from everyone we went to about this situation, and with the speed and decisive manner with which it was resolved. Thank you to all of them (though they'll never read this, at least it's out there). I feel hugely victorious. I am pitching the idea of writing about this situation (in a very cursory manner) for the school paper, to inform other students living off campus that this is a threat to be aware of, and how to react if it happens.
Meanwhile my first article for the paper- just a book review, but at least it's something- came out today. I'm so proud! I picked up a copy and read it with this big, stupid smile plastered all over my face, then snuck another four copies into my bag before leaving the student center. I'm gonna send one to Mom. (I admit it, I am the cheese.)
Stayed up late Wednesday to write an essay for my stupid post-colonial lit class for Thursday. (I am the princess of procrastination. I have a strong hunch that Lauren is the queen.) I hate the class and anything associated with the class, especially the buffoon who decided I had to take it, whoever he or she was. We happened to be going over the poem I wrote about in class the next day. My prof had never heard any of the interpretations about it that I'd found online (on good sites- I know how to research!), and her explanation of it made little sense if you read the poem closely. Several of her points were dead wrong- in direct opposition to the poem itself. None of this ameliorates my view of that class. Ick!
Went to work that night and it was one of those days where there's so much work to do (receiving, unpacking, pricing and putting-out merchandise) that customers become unwanted distractions who earn your ire just for their wasting of your time. Don't get me wrong- normally, helping the customers is, like, one of the best parts of my job. But when the Christmas stock is arriving SUPER late, and there are a million things to do, I just don't have the patience. My co-worker and I were there an hour late. At least it means more money in the bank. When I got home, though, I decided to get on the computer and ended up finishing a poster project that isn't due till Monday. I ROCK!
Today was scarily the same. Went to classes, went to the bead store, and the lady who was supposed to teach tonight's class forgot about it- I called her and she arrived an hour late. All the students were pissed, and I promised to stay late so they could finish the class. I got home two hours late. Again, more money in the bank, but I can't keep doing this!
This weekend doesn't promise much of a respite, boo-hoo for me. It's the 'birthday weekend' at the toy store (it's been open six years! Yay! *SARCASM, ANYONE?*) It's going to be busy, crowded and stressful. But, hey, at least there's free cake!
All in all, this leaves me slobbering for next weekend, when I promised Laur I'd take a day off and hang with her. Hell, I might take the whole weekend and see Mom on Sunday, who knows? It'll mean pulling some strings, but I'm ready to YANK! (People owe me favours anyway).
OH! There was one thing that made this week fantastic, and I almost forgot it. On Monday...it snowed. This is the greatest thing. Snow is special, and on Monday it came down just for me. It's mine people, and don't you forget it. I'm wearing my winter coat and I can't wait for the NEXT snowfall. I love this season.
Happy snowfalls, everyone. Have a good night.

Sunday, November 07, 2004

A full moon would explain everything

Weird day. It feels so late although it's not, and I'm typing with one hand since there's a cat asleep on my arm (I'm in heaven), though this day off of mine was far from being the relaxing day it ought to have been. It should have been a full moon; that would've made sense. Lauren decided inexplicably that her cellphone could fly, the weather is suddenly in remission, and Buzz (the cat) is acting very strange, even for a kitten.
More ominously, some friends of mine had a domestic dispute happen outside their door, and someone got hit with a fire extinguisher so they called the cops. I'm worried about them.
And my housemate was assaulted by the property manager who runs our house, so they're worried about me. I'm safe, don't worry- no one comes into my room, and I have a hammer and several knives and no one would dare- I'm one tough cookie, and not nearly as sweet.
And my first assignment for the newspaper is due Tuesday, I finished the book yesterday (I'm doing a review), and I should be so good at this; books and writing, I was practically made for this- but everything I write today is crap.
Plus, I took home a repair from the bead store (people commission us to repair broken jewelry) and it should have been easy but I spilled the beads everywhere and missed a couple when I remade the piece, so now I have to redo it completely.
On the upside, I finished a whole lot of beading projects last night, there was a visiting artist at the beadstore Friday (Sam, who makes her own glass beads), and I bought a bunch, commissioned one, and she talked to me about getting into making beads myself (not going to happen for a good long time: first things first).
Talked to Mom about Hanukkah (it's coming up- ridiculously early this year) she has no ideas for herself (as usual), but its okay cause for once I have no shortage of ideas for her. Don't get me wrong, I love buying gifts, especially for my Mom, it's just that living away from home doesn't give much opportunity to see her fawning over those superfluous requited items. The main problem this year is an overabundance of ideas and willingness to give, but lack of funds (big surprise). I think I'll be able to scrape together something respectable, though. I felt guilty bringing it up myself (she usually asks me for ideas), but I went ahead and told her the two specific things I have my eye on right now. There's this old photo of my Mom walking by a road or a lake or something (I have a vague memory of it), that I want a copy of. I told her this and she goes "The one where I'm wearing the jacket with the missing button?" And she obsesses over that button. This is a picture that was taken at least 30 years ago or so, that button is LONG GONE, and my mother has every intention of having the pic digitally re-engineered to include a third button.
I also asked for the elusive print-making set. I won't be using it for the poster project (did I already write that?), but I still want to do some more art.
Well, it's getting later and I do want to take another stab at this book review. Maybe this day won't be a total loss. I'm going to pitch my ideas for other articles when I hand this in, and Lauren suggested that I write about this thing with my landlord. I like the idea. He screws up my life, my friend's life, and I can make him pay. It's neat to have power.
The cat is awake and attacking my typing fingers...I'd better go. Ow!
Have a good night all. My best advice: stay in bed till tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Collecting the Pointless

Do you collect things in your wallet? I find this practice fairly odd, since you would think that what people collect in their wallets would be really important- it's stuff that you keep with you at all times, in a place where there isn't much (or any) room to spare, so what you put in there should, predictably, have a fair bit of significance. But it doesn't. Kevin collects movie stubs in his wallet. It's a quirk that I love, especially since it's this inconsequential practice that he's so...dedicated to. He has tens of them, if not hundreds.
Lauren collects concert tickets. And (though it's not just in her wallet), my mother has a tendency to gather little piles of rocks...everywhere. They're in her glove compartment and in her purse, and the last time I was visiting there were several in the kitchen...
I have all the usual stuff in my wallet, but I also keep all the fortunes I've gotten from fortune cookies with every Chinese food meal I've had for the past ten years or so. I got "You are very ambitious you will attempt and achieve great things" so long ago I can't remember it's origins. It might even be the first. "You have a fortunate sign" is one of my favourites. There's one that's printed in blue ink that says "You are going to have some new clothes"- I got that one when my father took me out for dinner on my birthday. I like that one because it was like the guy who sits around thinking up these things just got fed up with his own bullshit. I imagine him sitting, staring at a bitty little tab of paper in a typewriter, struggling with writer's block, and finally throwing his hands up and saying the hell with it!, and then writing my fortune. It was true, too.
One of my best is this: "Confucius say: When person say love better make sure word touch wisdom tooth". It's perfect because it's basically unintelligible. Whenever anyone reads it, they got this hilarious look on their face, like a mix of confusion and absurdity, that comes out looking like they have an unexpected pea up their nose.
I got Chinese take-out last night. It was greasy and gross, just like it's supposed to be. I have two fortunes from that order. "You will inherit some money or a small piece of land", and "Good news will be brought to you by mail". It's worrisome that my fortune is telling me that someone will die, leave me something, and I'll find out about it in a letter, and be happy about it. Does this make me heartless, or is it just the fortune that's so morally ambiguous?
The only other odd thing in my wallet is a feather. It's nothing special- not a pretty colour or shape, and it's certainly not exotic. It's just that two years ago I was outside early one morning going to class, and there was this bird just standing in the driveway. It was winter, and snowy, and very cold, and there was this out-of-place bird, that wasn't flying away despite the fact that I was crunching toward it. Finally, a couple feet from the little thing, I stopped. I looked at the bird, and the bird looked at me. Then I said "Good morning," and the bird flew away. But right in front of me, as it took off, one feather fluttered back down from it onto the snow. That's the feather I have in my wallet.
Do you keep anything strange in your wallet? Or anywhere else? I have stray bits of paper- ticket stubs from concerts and bus rides, receipts, grocery lists- between the pages of most of my books, and even when I'm re-reading one and find these old bookmarks, I don't take them out. I think everyone should have one pointless thing they like to have, or keep, or collect. It's the quirks that tell us we're human. Or magpies, depending on who you're talking to.
My family has a thing for shiny objects. I swear, if you had my mother and her sisters walking down the street and wanted to stop them in their tracks, all you'd have to do was drop a piece of tinfoil. They've passed this onto me, of course. Handy, if you're in need of spare change.
I found an Irish coin once.
Oh! And one time, a friend (Hugh? Kevin? I can't remember) found an East-Asian bill, folded up and shoved behind a fire extinguisher, in a public hallway in a building on campus. Go figure.
I'm rambling. But at least it's a fun ramble. Keep collecting your needless paraphernalia, magpies, and have a good night.

Monday, November 01, 2004

Appreciate the Inconsequential

I like noticing the little things. Things about people, things about the world around me. Lauren says that this habit of mine is what will make me a good writer. I don't know about that, but I know that it's the little things that interest me, and that I always enjoy witnessing a new one. For instance: last week when I was in Toronto, I was riding the subway in an almost-empty car. A man came in and immediately sat down, unfolded a newspaper and took off his shoes. He spent the ride sitting with his feet propped up on the next seat, reading his news, while his shoes slid, back and forth, with every start and stop of the subway. He didn't seem to notice, or care. I watched this for several stops, until we arrived at his destination, at which point his shoes slid back into place right below him, and without looking for them, he slid his feet back into his shoes (straight in, no fumbling) and walked away. It made me smile.
Another for instance: the prof of my Modern Culture Studies class. She's this young, thin, enthusiastic scholar-type, with straight hair fit for a shampoo commercial and freckles. She's the kind of person you look at and think she's got to be graceful and poised, because she's built like a dancer. But she's not, and I love the dissonance of it. She has this habit of putting her hands flat on her head and rubbing her hair in circles when she's thinking. It's hilarious. She's left with a good approximation of bed-head that she never seems aware of. There's irony in her hands, too. She has the long, thin fingers that I've always wanted, but the way she gestures- stiff, crooked-fingered, strained- it makes hands that should be elegant look like they belong on a Hans Christian Anderson villain. Yeah, I like the irony of that lady. Which is a good thing, because her class is boring and she's MUCH too excited about a subject that down-right sucks, in my opinion.
Other things I've noticed: That the new lady working the cash in the campus cafeteria has a habit of licking the tip of her ring finger before ringing in each purchase, which she does with her index finger.
There's a little girl who comes into the toy store sometimes with her dad, she's either 2 or 3, and though he encourages her, every time, to get some other little plastic animal, she always- always- gets a canary.
That's all I can think of, but if I see any more that are memorable, I'll write them down for you.
As for now, I'd like to officially welcome the newest addition to my house- the newly named kitten 'Buzz'. Now, I'm going to read, and eat Halloween candy. Have a good night!