Sound travels strangely in apartment buildings. I know this. I know that the hammering that feels like it is RIGHT behind my couch could be coming from anywhere in this building.
When I had full-time jobs that took me out of my apartment this wasn't a problem. There would be the odd tapping and banging, but nothing to get me irate. I invented a character to explain the various sounds away: the Carpenter Chihuahua.
Often, the tapping was light, and then there would ocassionally be the sound of a bell bouncing around on the floor - that is, my ceiling. For some reason, a chihuhua wielding a small hammer came to mind. Perhaps he built curio cabinets. Or mini race-tracks for his little cars. And obviously he had a collar that had a bell on it - which he did not wear, but rather, constantly pushed out of the way.
Now, however, I am home, and the incessant tapping, banging, hammering (not loud enough to really complain about, not long enough to tune out - just these short bursts) is making me CRAZY. It's beyond curio cabinets. He's obviously building wooden maquettes of the wonders of Europe. He probably on to Pisa now. Jerk.
And what do I do? Stalk each corridor till I locate the sound, then call security and say, "I know where the chihuahua is!"?
No, I'll just stay here, going crazier. Screw him. I'll teach my cat how to use a jig-saw and make metal sculptures so there will be grrrinding metal and screeeching metal all day long and then we'll see who's crazy.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Miracle Water
50 Cent share of Vitamin Water just went up.
When I saw everyone drinking those in L.A., I should've known, I should've known.
Oh well...
hat tip "haute gossip" via "hip candy"
When I saw everyone drinking those in L.A., I should've known, I should've known.
Oh well...
hat tip "haute gossip" via "hip candy"
Monday Morning
I usually keep this post apolitical, but there's nothing like silencing dissent old-school to leave a bad taste in your mouth after breakfast. (It wasn't just my attempt to add both strawberries and maple syrup to my oatmeal.) I'm not a fan of Chavez, in case you don't glean it from the link.
Belatedly, on a similar topic, blogger Sandmonkey has decided to shut down for his own safety while the State Security buzzards circle overhead. He added one more post after the one I link to wherein he describes his reasons in more detail.
Well, topics to research, articles to write, progress to make...
Belatedly, on a similar topic, blogger Sandmonkey has decided to shut down for his own safety while the State Security buzzards circle overhead. He added one more post after the one I link to wherein he describes his reasons in more detail.
Well, topics to research, articles to write, progress to make...
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Procrastination
melodramatically swooning on chaise lounge, hand fluttering up to forehead
I haaaaate revising. I looooathe it.
I'm not really on a chaise. I'm at a cafe on Santa Monica called "Cafe Marco". Fun vibe, full of folks on laptops, free wi-fi. I've been sitting here revising for an hour.
I also eavesdropped on two men talking about parrots while waiting for my coffee.
I also ruined my iced coffee by putting Splenda in it. I keep trying to like Splenda, but it tastes dreadful.
I also found this article about opposums and their genetics at the Globe and Mail website.
Now I'm going back to revising. Really.
No, I'm lying. I'm going to add one more thing:
I also bought this skirt at Target the other day, and I'm wearing it now and I loooove it. I looove it as much as I haaaaate revising.
Ok, there. That's all. Poor pitiful woeful me will go back to her dreadful wretched revisions now. sniff
I haaaaate revising. I looooathe it.
I'm not really on a chaise. I'm at a cafe on Santa Monica called "Cafe Marco". Fun vibe, full of folks on laptops, free wi-fi. I've been sitting here revising for an hour.
I also eavesdropped on two men talking about parrots while waiting for my coffee.
I also ruined my iced coffee by putting Splenda in it. I keep trying to like Splenda, but it tastes dreadful.
I also found this article about opposums and their genetics at the Globe and Mail website.
Now I'm going back to revising. Really.
No, I'm lying. I'm going to add one more thing:
I also bought this skirt at Target the other day, and I'm wearing it now and I loooove it. I looove it as much as I haaaaate revising.
Ok, there. That's all. Poor pitiful woeful me will go back to her dreadful wretched revisions now. sniff
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
R.I.P. Isabella Blow
Sadly, the style-eccentric with the eye for impeccable talent, Isabella Blow died Monday May 7th. The Los Angeles Times obit is here and it seems to be (at a glance) less salacious than The Daily Mail from the U.K.
I was shocked to see Ms. Blow mentioned in the past tense - I'd only ever seen her in clips on fashion television shows, but she seemed like a force to be reckoned with. Apparently though, behind the panache she had suffered from ovarian cancer and depression.
I expect that Vogue, Tatler, and plenty of other fashion mags will write up tributes, and we might hear from Alexander McQueen and others whose careers she helped fledge.
I only knew of her through television, websites and magazines, but I'll miss her. Like Kevyn Aucoin, she made her mark in an industry that sometimes seems to favour gimmick over quality, by always honing in on quality. She was a muse, an icon, and a guard of high standards. I think I'll wear red lipstick tomorrow in her honour.
I was shocked to see Ms. Blow mentioned in the past tense - I'd only ever seen her in clips on fashion television shows, but she seemed like a force to be reckoned with. Apparently though, behind the panache she had suffered from ovarian cancer and depression.
I expect that Vogue, Tatler, and plenty of other fashion mags will write up tributes, and we might hear from Alexander McQueen and others whose careers she helped fledge.
I only knew of her through television, websites and magazines, but I'll miss her. Like Kevyn Aucoin, she made her mark in an industry that sometimes seems to favour gimmick over quality, by always honing in on quality. She was a muse, an icon, and a guard of high standards. I think I'll wear red lipstick tomorrow in her honour.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Slurpee Sadness
I went a-walkin' in Los Angeles today. I walked and walked to get my free comics at Meltdown the comic book store (not to be confused with Meltdown the grilled cheese emporium).
It was hot out and as I neared the 7-11, I thought, "I haven't had a Slurpee in years". So I went in. Imagine my horror when I discovered that
(a) the Coke flavour wasn't ready yet
(b) there was NO SPRITE flavour (?!), and
(c) all the other flavours were either revolting or trying to be healthy
Crystal Light Sugar-Free Raspberry Lemonade?
Tropical Orange Full Throttle Frozen Fury (with ginseng, taurine, caffeine, and guarana) - like a slushy Red Bull? What's a "tropical orange", anyway?
Anyhow, all the other flavours were unappealing, so I chose the raspberry lemonade, and it was vile. I threw it out at Wendy's, but kept the Spidey cup, and bought myself a Frosty instead.
The difference between American and Canadian slurpees are here: "...the Canadian product is heavier and wetter, the difference being that the American product is injected with air and is therefore drier. This is why you can feel that itch in the back of the throat when you drink it--that's the air bubbles. The American stores have been using Cornelius equipment where as in Canada we have been using Taylor for years . Although both machines perform for their specific markets, they do create different products".
That explains part of my revulsion. Remember when you could just mix Coke and Sprite and know exactly how it would taste?
Also, did you know that Winnipeg, Manitoba is the biggest consumer of Slurpees in North America? Someone's already making a documentary about it. I wouldn't have predicted Winnipeg. I guess Tim Horton's didn't open enough locations there or something.
It was hot out and as I neared the 7-11, I thought, "I haven't had a Slurpee in years". So I went in. Imagine my horror when I discovered that
(a) the Coke flavour wasn't ready yet
(b) there was NO SPRITE flavour (?!), and
(c) all the other flavours were either revolting or trying to be healthy
Crystal Light Sugar-Free Raspberry Lemonade?
Tropical Orange Full Throttle Frozen Fury (with ginseng, taurine, caffeine, and guarana) - like a slushy Red Bull? What's a "tropical orange", anyway?
Anyhow, all the other flavours were unappealing, so I chose the raspberry lemonade, and it was vile. I threw it out at Wendy's, but kept the Spidey cup, and bought myself a Frosty instead.
The difference between American and Canadian slurpees are here: "...the Canadian product is heavier and wetter, the difference being that the American product is injected with air and is therefore drier. This is why you can feel that itch in the back of the throat when you drink it--that's the air bubbles. The American stores have been using Cornelius equipment where as in Canada we have been using Taylor for years . Although both machines perform for their specific markets, they do create different products".
That explains part of my revulsion. Remember when you could just mix Coke and Sprite and know exactly how it would taste?
Also, did you know that Winnipeg, Manitoba is the biggest consumer of Slurpees in North America? Someone's already making a documentary about it. I wouldn't have predicted Winnipeg. I guess Tim Horton's didn't open enough locations there or something.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Fly Sweater
Remember those Weight Watcher's Recipe Cards from Pound?
This is very similar, but in sweaters.
So painful, but so good - and it's spawned a 'send your own hideous sweater pic' site called The Sweater Guy.
Oh, I had some bad bad sweaters in previous decades... but luckily for you, I don't have photos of them. Synthetic yellow with silver threads, a fuzzy white one with a primary colours house scene (kindergarden teacher hott), and the "gee, I hope this makes me look feminine enough so that a boy looks twice at me" pink Cotton Ginny. I wore the pink Cotton Ginny monstrosity EVERY FRIDAY FOR A YEAR, so a certain boy in grade 8 in a particular class would notice me. It didn't work. Luckily.
This is very similar, but in sweaters.
So painful, but so good - and it's spawned a 'send your own hideous sweater pic' site called The Sweater Guy.
Oh, I had some bad bad sweaters in previous decades... but luckily for you, I don't have photos of them. Synthetic yellow with silver threads, a fuzzy white one with a primary colours house scene (kindergarden teacher hott), and the "gee, I hope this makes me look feminine enough so that a boy looks twice at me" pink Cotton Ginny. I wore the pink Cotton Ginny monstrosity EVERY FRIDAY FOR A YEAR, so a certain boy in grade 8 in a particular class would notice me. It didn't work. Luckily.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Bloodletting
I'm sitting here, using ALL my ENERGY to write a new first chapter for the book. I've written 122 words and I hate each one.
I think, "Arrrgh, this is like bloodletting". Then it occurs to me that bloodletting is actually easier. In bloodletting, the leeches do all the work. In revisions you do all the work.
I say, bring on the leeches.
I think, "Arrrgh, this is like bloodletting". Then it occurs to me that bloodletting is actually easier. In bloodletting, the leeches do all the work. In revisions you do all the work.
I say, bring on the leeches.
Too Much Information
If you know me at all, you probably know I'm a little bit obsessed with hair. Here are some places I've discovered on my travels that I thought I ought to share with the general public. Only read if you're as obsessed as I am.
HAIR or UN-HAIR
1) Gregory Parvatan cuts curly hair and knows what he's doing at Rapunzel in Toronto. I'm sure I've mentioned him before.
2) In Vancouver, Granville Street hosts clubs, bars, crepes, and Sugarbox. I didn't go there, but they seem to know what they're doing, and were very nice in returning my phone call.
3) WAX on Melrose in Los Angeles. Horrible horrible website, but beautiful salon (like stepping into a Wedgewood place setting), with extremely COMPETENT and well-mannered estheticians who do what they do VERY WELL. I HIGHLY recommend this place. They've been written up by Daily Candy and were featured in a funny article in L.A. Weekly.
One of my estheticians there said that she moved to L.A. from Oakland, where she worked at her parents' salon for ten years. She said, "When I moved to L.A., I worked at an eyebrow salon, where all I did was wax eyebrows. My mother couldn't believe I could make a living off of just eyebrows, but that's L.A.".
4) And speaking of specializing, there's also Queen Bee in L.A. They only do bikini and eyebrows. Again, I haven't been there, but they seem to talk about waxing like they take it seriously. And really, if you're going to pay someone to rip your hair out by the root, they better take it seriously!
There, that's my good deed for the day. You're welcome.
HAIR or UN-HAIR
1) Gregory Parvatan cuts curly hair and knows what he's doing at Rapunzel in Toronto. I'm sure I've mentioned him before.
2) In Vancouver, Granville Street hosts clubs, bars, crepes, and Sugarbox. I didn't go there, but they seem to know what they're doing, and were very nice in returning my phone call.
3) WAX on Melrose in Los Angeles. Horrible horrible website, but beautiful salon (like stepping into a Wedgewood place setting), with extremely COMPETENT and well-mannered estheticians who do what they do VERY WELL. I HIGHLY recommend this place. They've been written up by Daily Candy and were featured in a funny article in L.A. Weekly.
One of my estheticians there said that she moved to L.A. from Oakland, where she worked at her parents' salon for ten years. She said, "When I moved to L.A., I worked at an eyebrow salon, where all I did was wax eyebrows. My mother couldn't believe I could make a living off of just eyebrows, but that's L.A.".
4) And speaking of specializing, there's also Queen Bee in L.A. They only do bikini and eyebrows. Again, I haven't been there, but they seem to talk about waxing like they take it seriously. And really, if you're going to pay someone to rip your hair out by the root, they better take it seriously!
There, that's my good deed for the day. You're welcome.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Live Longer, But Don't Sing Happy Birthday
I found this website called Unhappy Birthday.
It is a satirical rally for all of us to uphold the copyright of the song "Happy Birthday". It even suggests we pay ASCAP personally when we sing it, and tattle to Time Warner when others do. It's a funny idea - to drive both ASCAP and Time Warner crazy by deluging them with reports of copyright infringement every time people sing the song in a restaurant.
The most galling info on the site is here, though:
"While the copyright should have expired in 1991, copyright has been extended repeatedly over the last quarter of the twentieth century and the copyright for Happy Birthday is now not due to expire until at least 2030."
There are three links on the site that offer more on the history of the song.
If you want to think more about it, there's a wikipedia page for the Copyright Term Extension Act. And there's an article from two opposing views on BBC news page from 2004.
One of the arguments for copyright extension is that people live longer than they used to. Since copyright expires 50 years after the author's death, I'm not sure how this is supposed to matter.
Anyhow, isn't time we just open-source a NEW happy birthday song? Why do we need to sing a happy birthday ditty owned by Time Warner? There are different songs in other languages anyways. Let's just stop singing "Happy Birthday" in English, and let Time Warner hold on to a worthless ditty.
It is a satirical rally for all of us to uphold the copyright of the song "Happy Birthday". It even suggests we pay ASCAP personally when we sing it, and tattle to Time Warner when others do. It's a funny idea - to drive both ASCAP and Time Warner crazy by deluging them with reports of copyright infringement every time people sing the song in a restaurant.
The most galling info on the site is here, though:
"While the copyright should have expired in 1991, copyright has been extended repeatedly over the last quarter of the twentieth century and the copyright for Happy Birthday is now not due to expire until at least 2030."
There are three links on the site that offer more on the history of the song.
If you want to think more about it, there's a wikipedia page for the Copyright Term Extension Act. And there's an article from two opposing views on BBC news page from 2004.
One of the arguments for copyright extension is that people live longer than they used to. Since copyright expires 50 years after the author's death, I'm not sure how this is supposed to matter.
Anyhow, isn't time we just open-source a NEW happy birthday song? Why do we need to sing a happy birthday ditty owned by Time Warner? There are different songs in other languages anyways. Let's just stop singing "Happy Birthday" in English, and let Time Warner hold on to a worthless ditty.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Heart and Club, Light and Sugar
"The moth flies at night in June and July and is attracted to light and sugar."
Subtitute my name for "moth". That could be my company - Industrial Light and Sugar.
The above is a random wiki find. I was searching "quinoa" which turned out to be a type of "goosefoot" which is eaten by the larvae of certain "lepidoptera".
Random + Nerdy = Joy!
This picture, below, is not the Heart and Club Moth, but it makes for a cooler picture! Good thing I don't publish the news. Learn more, if you're so inclined, at "Your guide to the moths of Great Britain and Ireland".
Subtitute my name for "moth". That could be my company - Industrial Light and Sugar.
The above is a random wiki find. I was searching "quinoa" which turned out to be a type of "goosefoot" which is eaten by the larvae of certain "lepidoptera".
Random + Nerdy = Joy!
This picture, below, is not the Heart and Club Moth, but it makes for a cooler picture! Good thing I don't publish the news. Learn more, if you're so inclined, at "Your guide to the moths of Great Britain and Ireland".
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Spring at the Farm
It's neither winter nor spring here in T.O., but it's definitely spring over at Farmgirl Fare.
She has posted the cutest picture ever!
She has posted the cutest picture ever!
Jon Katz and his Donkeys
Over at Slate, I occasionally find myself following the story of Jon Katz's move to the farm, and subsequent acquisition of two donkeys.
His latest piece is The Donkey Who Couldn't Stand Up.
I like it. There's a link in the story to his earlier pieces too.
Go and read them. You'll feel better.
(And don't worry, the above clip-art was free.)
Friday, April 13, 2007
Show Me the Bunny
Don't ask me how I found this.
You know when you just need to see a picture of a bunny? No?
You back there - yeah you, trying to sneak out of the auditorium - you know what I'm talking about.
Just for you, here is a gallery that will show you random house rabbit photos. All you have to do is click "show me another photo".
That wasn't random enough for you?
Here's some more randomness:
(1) Here's a link from the Sugar Association regarding sweeteners on nutrional labelling and calling for more clarity:
Help them eschew obfuscation on food labels.
(2) Tom Ford finally buttoned up his darn shirt. Not that I like him any better for it, but thank the Lord for small mercies.
(3) A List of Things New Mac Owners Should Know.
You know when you just need to see a picture of a bunny? No?
You back there - yeah you, trying to sneak out of the auditorium - you know what I'm talking about.
Just for you, here is a gallery that will show you random house rabbit photos. All you have to do is click "show me another photo".
That wasn't random enough for you?
Here's some more randomness:
(1) Here's a link from the Sugar Association regarding sweeteners on nutrional labelling and calling for more clarity:
Help them eschew obfuscation on food labels.
(2) Tom Ford finally buttoned up his darn shirt. Not that I like him any better for it, but thank the Lord for small mercies.
(3) A List of Things New Mac Owners Should Know.
Go to Kingston! See Fine Acting!
You don't get out enough.
So, make some plans with some friends, and drive out to Kingson and see some theatre.
Kingston Theatre presents Bernard Shaw's "Candida" at The Vogt Theatre. Buy tickets here or call 613-544-2021.
So, make some plans with some friends, and drive out to Kingson and see some theatre.
Kingston Theatre presents Bernard Shaw's "Candida" at The Vogt Theatre. Buy tickets here or call 613-544-2021.
defacebook?
I got cornered into joining Facebook.
It's a weird tentacled social interface.
I'm not sure if it's worthwhile... yet.
I think if real face-time with somebody comes out of it, that'll be cool.
Facebook seems like yet another place for me to make social faux-pas.
When you try to quit Facebook, one of the reasons it lists - 'cause you have to tell them why you're quitting - is "Causing too much social drama in life".
Which begs the question, why bother?
Though somewhat aimless, it's kind of addictive too.
With a blog I get to babble on as much as I like, and you can either read or not, as you like.
Facebook is sort of a conversation, but it's mostly shallow conversation - like waving to a lot of people as you pass each other on the street. What do you think?
Anyhow, Fast Company is featuring Facebook and it's creator on their newsstand cover, and there are some blog posts by the author here. They ask, "how much money is Facebook worth?" while I ask, "how much of my time and energy is Facebook worth?" It doesn't have the nickname "crackbook" for nothing.
It's a weird tentacled social interface.
I'm not sure if it's worthwhile... yet.
I think if real face-time with somebody comes out of it, that'll be cool.
Facebook seems like yet another place for me to make social faux-pas.
When you try to quit Facebook, one of the reasons it lists - 'cause you have to tell them why you're quitting - is "Causing too much social drama in life".
Which begs the question, why bother?
Though somewhat aimless, it's kind of addictive too.
With a blog I get to babble on as much as I like, and you can either read or not, as you like.
Facebook is sort of a conversation, but it's mostly shallow conversation - like waving to a lot of people as you pass each other on the street. What do you think?
Anyhow, Fast Company is featuring Facebook and it's creator on their newsstand cover, and there are some blog posts by the author here. They ask, "how much money is Facebook worth?" while I ask, "how much of my time and energy is Facebook worth?" It doesn't have the nickname "crackbook" for nothing.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Lipids
So, I gained weight in Vancouver. Not that much, but enough to bother me. I haven't done anything about it yet. However, here at Stumptuous, is a jaw-dropping and eye-opening post which includes photos of cross-sections of a woman's thighs and hips. If that doesn't motivate me, nothing will. As a woman, I'm blessed with fat to spare, which is natural, but I just don't want the current extra helping.
Anyways, that'll be the last time I blog about weight. 'Cause pink blog + shoe posts + weight rants = a bit much even for me. It sounds like the Lifetime network around here.
hat tip Mich, of course.
Anyways, that'll be the last time I blog about weight. 'Cause pink blog + shoe posts + weight rants = a bit much even for me. It sounds like the Lifetime network around here.
hat tip Mich, of course.
Human Foosball!
From Squiddity, a link to a HUMAN FOOSBALL court.
This is genius! This is a game I could PLAY - no running around!
The only drawback is the little figures on the actual foosball table are usually in better shape. Or at least, better shape than I'm in!
Foosball, by the way, is table-top European football - aka soccer. It's fun even if you play really badly... not that I'd know anything about that.
This is genius! This is a game I could PLAY - no running around!
The only drawback is the little figures on the actual foosball table are usually in better shape. Or at least, better shape than I'm in!
Foosball, by the way, is table-top European football - aka soccer. It's fun even if you play really badly... not that I'd know anything about that.
You and Her and Everyone You Know
Miranda July, writer-director-actor of the 2005 buzz-collector Me and You and Everyone We Know has a joyously low-tech-style website up for her new book of short stories, "No One Belongs Here More Than You".
I really liked Ms. July's film, but even if you didn't, you should still check out her website. It's been the highpoint of my day.
Hat-tip: Ludickid
Question: If I upload a publicity image to my laptop and then post it here, is that still stealing bandwidth?
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