Trying to finish up the Elizabeth George I'm reading. The last half is fine, but the first half was SO LONG. I'm speed reading past everything, and only reading the dialogue. Definitely not her best. And though I like all the cop characters, I don't like anyone else--and many of the scenes are told from their points of view.
I finished the French teen book I was reading--it was fun.
After the depressingness of the George book, I wanted something lighter. And I've started a mystery novel about a bunch of sheep trying to solve their shepherd's murder. I learned of it last year when a customer requested it.
When the sheep first meet to analyze the murder, the first business they have to decide upon is what would constitute the perfect shepherd--which they decide theirs' was not, but he always fed them, and always looked for their lost lambs, and besides which "he was our shepherd. No one had a right to stick a spade in him."
The perfect shepherd:
- never docked lamb's tails - didn't keep a sheepdog - provided good fodder, and plenty of it - and who clothed himself entirely in the product of his own flock, for instance an all-in-one suit made of spun sheep's wool, which would look really good, almost as if he were a sheep himself.
I'm also wondering whether to buy the new Cathleen Schine book. I loved three of her books (Love Letter, Rameau's Niece, Evolution of Jane), and then hated one so much I couldn't finish it. I have a fourth one that I haven't started yet. I'll probably give in--it's cheap on kobo. The reviews are really split, but they were on the books I loved too, so I can't go by that.
In my internet travels, I also discovered that The Enchanted April is in the public domain, so I downloaded it for my kobo. Very exciting! I read it over 10 years ago and enjoyed it. Not in a "OMG BEST BOOK EVER" way, but in a quiet sort of now-I-have-fond-memories way.
I bought these slippers off etsy. They're exactly the shade of gray I wanted, and Fernando (who knows his knitting/crocheting) says they're really well made.
But as I feared the heel part is shallow and slips off my heel. Well they're not exactly shallow, but they need to be stretched upwards to cover the heel. The Mary Jane strap isn't in the right place to keep the heel on. So I wound it through the heel and up to the button, and that holds the heel on well. And still looks cute. So this might work. If not, Fernando--of course--wants to take them from me. But I think we should order him his own pair in a bright fun colour, don't you agree? Mind, I'm still yearning for these.
Of course Queen Hal is predictably disdainful: "MY slippers are far superior, Mahmmy. ... - they're softer than your slippers - they don't fall apart when cleaned - they never slip off - they have leather pads on the bottom and are made of real fur, but not cruel to animals (riddle me that, so-called vegan!) - and they come with Wolverine snickety-snicks. Can your slippers tear a man's face off? I thought not."
So the first Kitty Contender is in our sights. I know a woman who rescues animals of all kinds, and has a kitty rescue charity as well. When I told her of Sherringham's demise she told me she had a girl cat available. Her brother got adopted, but the adopter couldn't take two cats, so the little girl was still awaiting a home. At the time Fernando was still in his One Cat Phase (which we all knew wouldn't last, right?)
I contacted her to see if the girl kitty is still available, if she's playful, and if she does NOT need to be top cat. So far she fits the bill. She is also of the sacred calico clan! So we'd have two calicoes. That would be nice. Maybe another calico would understand Haley's peculiar form of communication ("I hate you! Play with me!!") Mind you, calico is a colouring not a breed, so... maybe not.
It's all very exciting. Fernando is very excited. ...Hopefully Halzebub will share our enthusiasm. It'll be hard to tell at first since the transition period always takes awhile. Better whip out the Feliway. But every night as I sit here with her, she looks boooored. So I'm hoping she'll be glad for the change of pace, and having a young frolicky cat instead of old boys.
As I suspected would happen, Fernando seems ready for a second cat. He's been saying he doesn't want a second one for years, but I've also learned that he likes to bullshit me, so I suspected this stance wouldn't last long. Well also, because he is a lurver of the kitties.
Anyway, he knows someone at work who's cat is going to have kittens, and he wants one. I do think Haley would like another kitty, because she seems a bit bored to me. I think she regrets getting rid of BOTH the old boys, cause she has no one to torment. I'd like to get her a cat who's playful, but unconcerned with letting her be Top Cat. She's not a big cat, so I'd like one that won't grow up to be huge and therefore physically dominant. We need the runt of the litter!
I was thinking of a girl cat, cause I'm so afraid of getting another sprayer... but apparently girls spray too, and are very territorial. So. A small, frisky, non-power-hungry boy?
We would normally always get a grown cat, since they're harder to adopt, but we think Halzebub will feel less threatened by a kitten.
In the old Meowee East Haley was identified as Isreal, because she was the perceived "interloper." But in the end she was probably more Hezbollah that anything else. Sherry was more Israel--clearly the top cat, trying to mind his own business, but ready to FREAK THE HELL OUT if another cat got in his face. Nombly was always Egypt - kindly, stately, but powerless. So what does that make a new kitten? An invading American force? Guess we won't know til we see his or her personality. Expect new and fresh drama in The Meowee East.
This is the second time I heard a song on my mp3 player and thought "This is great! How did I end up with it?" and it turned out to be from the free Bonnaroo playlist from Spin.
He was always my favourite on Freaks and Geeks (after Bill, naturally). And I've loved him in everything else I've seen him in, and now I love his writing and directing (just watched Sarah Marshall.) Except I think he's on some random stoopid sitcom now. There'd better be more movies in his future. Or Apatow-esque tv.
Unfortunately I'm becoming an etsy addict.
So here's the wallet I bought a few weeks ago--a 1960s Lady Buxton with secret compartment! But Fernando fell in love with it and now its his. The change part was a bit small so I let it go.
Here is the new one I ordered. (Well not new, but "vintage.") I love the colour and style.
I found the perfect use for my little wristlet, made by a staff member with an etsy store. My mp3 player is tiny, but I use bulky headphones, so they're a big mess in my bag. Now I put them in my wristlet! Here is the second purse organizer. I tried it out this weekend. It fits almost all my stuff, and stands up well in the purse, and would fit better in smaller purses or when my backpack is full of groceries. But... ...I've grown so fond of my bottom-one. (The top one is a strip of fabric that you curl up. This one is a bucket.) Because the big things that don't fit in the pockets, you put them in the middle, so when you change purses you hardly have to transfer anything. I move the bucket, my headphones, and umbrella. I also, Quite Brilliantly, added a clothespin upon which I can hang my keys. It's like having a really big wallet.
Whereas with the top one I'd also have to move my wallet and book and maybe sunglasses. So I'm using the top one for the little basket of things I keep by the couch - gum, dental floss, pens, scissors, cat nail clippers, measuring tape, etc. and I put a little purse full of my nail polishes in the middle. It's perfect!! Sigh. I do so love organizing things. I highly recommend a purse organizer. Digging out a stick of gum has never been so pleasurable.
I went looking for cheap earrings, but only bought one pair ($2.50 + shipping.) The thing about etsy is that it's either greener purchasing, if you're buying vintage or upcycled items; or it has value if you're buying artisanal wares (value re supporting small business, craftsmanship); but when you're shipping things from Thailand, or even just the States, it's certainly not green-local! So I'll probably limit my earring buying. Though there's a nice pair of Frankenstein earrings, and a Hanuman necklace, and Oscar Wilde locket, and an octopus necklace giving out free hugs. I also bought this little scarf-ee, I love it's kind-of china-dish pattern. I love this handmade scarfee but it's a bit too cher pour moi. And finally, I went on the Great Slipper Quest. I really liked these, but no one makes them, it's just a pattern. And I can't make them. And these look well made, but less cute. And these are cute, but more expensive, and made of wool which I don't really buy anymore (vegan-wise.) These are a lot of fun, but will have to wait for a $50 slipper day, not a $15 day.
Anyway, as we speak someone is hard at work knitting these for me, in gray. And now, time for an etsy break. Money doesn't grow on trees you know!! Or on etsy.
A: I'll do some Care Bear research, hold on... okay. This will have to be hypothetical cause I was too old to watch the show. Here is the original line-up. I think I'd have to choose Bedtime Bear. I hate going to bed, but I loooove being in bed, and tucking in, and sleeping in, and napping.
Bedtime Bear is a very sleepy bear. He helps everyone get a good night's sleep and have sweet dreams.
Birthday Bear wants everyone to have happy birthdays and loves birthday parties and games.
Cheer Bear is a very happy and perky bear, who helps everyone be their happiest and cheer up those who are unhappy.
Friend Bear is a kind and friendly bear who shows what it means to be a good friend. She is orange with two intertwined smiling flowers on her tummy.
Funshine Bear loves to play and tell jokes all the time, but sometimes forgets that there are times in life you must be serious.
Good Luck Bear is all about spreading good luck for everyone.
Grumpy Bear shows that while it's okay to be grumpy sometimes, it is also silly to let grumpiness go too far. His phrase in the TV series Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-Lot is "Bumbling Bitterbugs!"
Love-a-Lot Bear is a bear who helps spread love and help it along wherever she goes.
Tenderheart Bear helps everyone show and express their feelings and helps his fellow Care Bears be the most caring they can be.
Wish Bear helps make wishes come true, and although they don't always come true, making wishes and working hard to help make them come true is still fun.
Alright, as of the end of today the Nom Nom Experiment is over. Phew! It's harder on weekends!
Having tried this for a week I think I need to come up with some general rules. I don't intend to always not-eating-while-being-entertained, but I did learn some things.
WORK - If I'm eating a controlled portion, like one sandwich brought from home, I'm probably safe to eat while working. But if I pull out my snacks, or I buy a bigger lunch nearby, then it's better to focus on what I'm eating so that I don't over-do it. In any case the continued problem will be resisting running off to buy a snack when I just don't need one. Maybe if I make a rule like "I have to eat that snack while standing on one foot" my laziness will prevent the snack!
BREAKFAST - This all depends on getting the portion right when I'm standing in the kitchen. Cause once I'm back sitting in bed eating, I'll eat whatever I've got, and have often eaten too much just cause it's there. One bowl of cereal, or two toasts with milky-tea or chocolate milk is the right amount for me.
- The other problem is eating nutritiously at breakfast, because it's the moto-rev-up for the day. I try to do peanut butter on my toast, to get a protein boost. But Shreddies or Wheetabix aren't really doing me much good. I sometimes make homemade granola and it's very nutritious, but it's soooooooooooo good that Fernando and I eat it within a couple days (as constant snack.)
LUNCH/SUPPER - When I get home from work I'm usually very hungry so I take a huge portion of whatever. So this would be a good meal to eat at the kitchen table.
- Unless it's vegetable based, in which case I don't think I mind stuffing myself. For example, a soup that's almost all pureed veggies. Or dipping crunchy vegetables into homemade hummus. I can probably do that while watching TV or reading. The veggies are so full of fibre and water that you really feel the fullness anyway.
- On the other hand, something vegetable based but heavy, and carried to the mouth on a tortilla chip, spells trouble. Yes guacamole, I mean you. Today I ate my guacamole at the kitchen table and stopped when I felt full. I think I should stick to this practice. I can't say the number of times I've gorged myself in front of the TV on guacamole, and just felt totally BLEH sick afterwards. That much oil just can't be consumed in one sitting.
SNACKS - Here lies danger! I suspect I should always eat sweets without doing anything else. Because if the cookies disappear too quickly, without me being really conscious of them, then I'm much more likely to go back to the kitchen and get more. The cookies require Attention.
- Chippies. Oh chippies. How I love you. But when I eat too many of you, I always regret it. There are some food theories that you only fully taste the flavour of something at the first few bites (which might be why a food with complex flavour and ingredients is more satisfying), and that is SO true for chippies. I'd almost say that the drive behind chippy consumption is the quest to recapture the taste of the first three chips. So if I sit and Do Nothing Else, I'll probably realize that the taste is gone, and stop. And plus, the boredom. (Crunch crunch stare at wall crunch crunch stare at foot crunch crunch...)
My brother reminded me of the Bechdel test of women in movies. You can watch this short video...
or read the three rules: 1. Are there two or more women in it, with names? 2. Do they talk to each other? 3. About something other than men?
So here I've tried to randomly submit some of my fave movies to the test...
- State and Main passes the test (Annie says hi to all the women in the town by name, re. the play, and go ye huskies!) - Zoolander passes, because Katinka and Matilda trade insults during fight scenes. - Henry V might pass... the Princess is learning English from her maid, albeit because of the probability of marrying Henry. - Joy Luck Club passes with flying colours - Sense and Sensibility - easily - American Splendor passes - his wife and daughter - Room With a View - pass - there are lots of ladies, talking about views and flowers and travel - Sound of Music - big pass - Persuasion - pass - The Harry Potters probably pass because there are named female teachers teaching named female students
- Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband - both fails - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - fail, even though there's lots of women with names - also Evita, maybe Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, - Purple Rain - fail - A Christmas Carol - fail, there's few women at all - Clash of the Titans probably fails because while there are lots of named women talking to each other, they're generally talking about Calibos, Zeus, or Harry Hamlin. - The old Star Wars movies of course fail. The newer ones have some talk between Padme and her named guards. - Not sure about Pride and Prejudice, because the sisters do talk a lot about boys with each other. And indeed many if not most romantic comedies would fail because the Best Friend is only there in order to talk about the romance. - I doubt Hot Fuzz passes, and probably Sean of the Dead doesn't (but it's a mixed group of men and women at the end fighting off zombies, so they might talk) Jesus Christ Superstar = epic fail (let's face it, the New Testament is epic fail. Unless you consider Jesus to be non-gendered, since *he* is god) - Galaxy Quest - no pass (but then it couldn't because it was modeled on these TV shows with no women on them) - Restoration - fail, it's all about the main male protagonist - Marx Brothers movies - fail (maybe some tiny passes in there) - James Bond movies - fail of course, except where there's a female baddie--she might threaten the Bond sidekick after all
Series - whether they pass in general (many times) - Cranford = win au boute - A-Team = fail - Vicar of Dibley - big win - Jeeves and Wooster = fail - Spaced = pass - Dr Katz - mostly fail, though there are some conversations between Laura and the clients, Eg. about Joyce Behar's sweater - Ugle Betty - supa pass - House - massive massive fail... I can't imagine anyone, male or female, talking about anything other than House (which is why this show is not really on my faves list... just a funny example) - Most Charles Dickens series should pass because there are zillions of talkative characters, all named, so the ladies must cross paths occasionally without talking about men - Miss Marple mysteries - big win, but less so for the Poirot mysteries (actually the mystery genre in general is packed with both female authors and female characters) - Buffy the Vampire Slayer - pass - entourage - technically a pass because the wives and girlfriends sometimes meet and exchange small talk, but in spirit --> it's a boys club - Welcome Back Kotter - fail - West Wing - should pass - MASH - pass
Anyone care to test one of their faves? I know Swissgirl's Golden Girls would majorly pass.
Work Umm so I was a wee bit tired after two nights of 3 hour sleeps. And it was a busy day. My brain could handle it for the first 8 hours, but the second my shift was officially over (and I wanted to work on my own work, as opposed to running the store) every customer received a telepathic message telling them I would be there to fill their every need and dream and they should not let me take two steps without stopping me.
Ordinarily I love that sort of fun-on-the-sales-floor, but I had someone waiting to talk to me, so it just stressed me out. After 30 minutes of this (and after taking off my uniform vest didn't help) I finally took off in an all-out run for the office. Jumped into it like I was leaping into a fox hole. 3 hours later when I tried to leave work, my brain cells were so fried I returned to the office about 5 times in a row, while another manager was holding a meeting in there, because of forgetting things. It was like... Departure Fail. Failure to launch.
Eating Yesterday I ate pasta while listening to a program on CBC, but I felt fine about it because I started listening while making supper and it wasn't over when I was ready to eat. It was about two Newfoundland Inuit families in the late 1800s who agreed to travel around Europe as part of a zoo exhibit. The Germans didn't remember to inoculate them against smallpox so they all died. One of their member kept a diary in Inuktituk, which the CBC show was based on. Really interesting.
But today at work I worked while eating, simply because there was so much to do. Blech.
Food I went to the grocery store after, and tooook myyyy tiiiiiime. I wandered slowly through the aisles, weighing my really really empty fridge (emptier than it's been in years, literally) against how much I could carry. Towards the end I came across a new aisle they just set up of international food.
Oh man did I have fun! The municipality I live in is pretty white and oldy, but just north of the grocery store (still well in the burbs) there are a lot more immigrant (or first generation Canadian) nabes. I only know this because if I take a bus in that direction, in the space of one block, I go from being part of the majority to the minority.
Anyway, the grocery store must be finally trying to tap that market because they have a huge new aisle of international groceries. Not the North-American-ized kind (Heinz's Tandoori sauce or whatever) but the kinds of prepared foods you usually see in smaller markets, with 6 languages on the label. Plus ginormous bags of various rices, and cooking oils.
It used to be I couldn't locate a stuffed vine leave for love nor money in that store, and I searched high and low for tahini. This new aisle had a variety of stuffed vine leaves, 6-8 brands of tahini, 8 different kinds of refried beans, and a whole other host of Interesting Yummies. Indian, Chinese, Russian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Greek... I felt like I was on a Disneyland "It's a Small World" ride.
I took a pass on the gefilte fish, and had to pass the things that would have been too heavy (jerk sauce, refried beans), but I couldn't resist a huge bag of the brightest dye-coloured tortilla chips I've ever seen, a big package of chocolate wafer cookies, stuffed vine leaves, Chana masala spice mix, and back in the frozen section I found samosas. If I have to return to processed food I can at least do it in style!
Books
They're pre-screening this a Fantasia this summer -- a Montreal film festival that used to focus on Asian films, but I get the impression they're now positioning themselves as a "genre film" festival.
I found out today that it's basd on a manga-esque graphic novel called Scott Pilgrim. It's actually a Canadian series, with a Canadian setting, but apparently they've un-Canada-ed it for the movie. Tsk tsk.
I bought the first edition as a bookseller told me it's really good. Will report back! ;-)
Q: What was your most recent trip of more than 50 miles?
A: Okay first of all I have no concept of that 50 miles is. Not because I'm Canadian, but because I'm dyscalculiac. I can picture one foot because I have feet. But I can't picture a mile or a kilometer. I'll do some research and be back.
...
Okay Mtl to Ottawa is 100 miles, and a 2 hour drive. So I guess it's on hour of driving.
A for real: Stratford, Ontario, last fall. For the Shakespeare festival, with Gilby, Oscar and Yoda.
Have you ever heard what the novelists call a blood-curdling scream? I tell you ... it really does curdleize the blood. Or at least, it sends a shot of adrenaline SHOOTING through you, and you can perform great feats of ingenuity, such as extracting a cat who's hiding under the bed.
A couple nights ago, at a time when most are asleep but we are not, the fire alarm went off. This happens about once a year. Once it was a cooking fire in someone's home, but the other times it was a prank or malfunction, we don't know which. So when it goes off, we don't freak out too much, but our #1 priority it to get the cats (now made easier.) Fernando goes out to see if it's Real Cause for Alarm, while I pack up the cat. (And if it seems fake, I toss my purse and laptop into my backpack.)
Tonight it went off again and we were debating whether to leave when we heard a woman scream. Oh. My. God. I guess she screamed "fire" but all I heard was
but without the giggling at the end, and a bit longer.
We have new neighbors upstairs (the boys have sadly moved out) and when they saw me in the staircase with my cat carrier the woman said: You're taking your cat?! So the boyfriend went back. But he didn't manage to corral them.
Thees will not happen to me. I will die trying to get my One Remaining Cat (and more if I get more) out of the apartment. If she hid behind a bookcase where I couldn't reach her, I'd pull the frikking thing down. I don't know all this for a fact, but the day they tried taking Sherry away to give him a needle without me being present I saw a side of me I've never seen. The Mommy Feelings seem to be alive and kicking, they've just transferred themselves to felines.
As it was, the night ended more pleasantly. Turns out the new neighbors were delivered my mail by accident, and it was my two remaining etsy packages (plus I got the other one in my box today.) So I'm sitting here enjoying them. Because I'm too bloody wired to sleep, though I start work in 5 hours and only slept 3 hours last night.
Oh my lord.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! <--Hey! Stop screaming in my head!! #%$^@%
Look at the cute packaging. I ordered two bracelets and they came wrapped like little prezzies, and she tossed in a third smaller bracelet for free, wrapped in a little bag with her bunny symbol. Interestingly, that scream makes me realize what it would be like to be caught in a real fire. And I begin to think that Bruce Springsteen's song "I'm On Fire" is a poor metaphor. "I'm On a Slow Intense Heat" maybe, but that man is not on fire.
Spin magazine had a free album of songs from bands that were at the Bonnaroo festival, so this found its way onto my mp3 player. I love eeet! Though I don't understand eet!
I wasn't present for this scene. A friend recollected it.
Scene: Many many years ago, in a company that no longer exists. Friend in office and overhears the following. Regional manager on speaker-phone conference call with many managers and a VP. Manager X is describing a problem, and it comes to light that his store is receiving the warehouse shipments improperly.
VP - You're receiving the warehouse shipments by scanning? X - Errrr yes? VP - You're supposed to receive them in techy-tech mode!! Who else is scanning warehouse shipments?? If I catch anyone scanning warehouse shipments I'll cut off their heads and shit down their throats!!
I had a good shopping experience when I bought my rain boots and sandals online from zappos. They both fit great, the rain boots resist the rain, and the sandals are comfy. But, while shipping was $10 flat rate, I paid $33 in duties. Ouch!
I need to find a Canadian source. Cause I'm mildly addicted to the selection available online. More choices in my size, as well as more styles in general. Did I add that I'm too lazy to go out shopping, especially further afield where there might be more selection?
I'd like a pair of slippers, because Fernando is making me wear slippers/sandals around the house, which I am Very Unhappy about. Trying to console myself with imaginary shopping.
Here's what I've found so far: (though none of these places have the great and v. useful customer reviews, re. sizing, comfort etc. OK for slippers, but I'm not sure I'd order regular shoes.)
[I think you allz should be real appreciative that I enjoy researching online products as a past time. If I was a shopping addict then I could start a review site! But I really don't shop enough, or at least not widely. Music and books.]
Quark: free over $50 - they carry comfort brands, including my fave Danskos, so that's worth knowing (since i already know which size I take) - boring slippers, except these
Aldo: Standard shipping: $5 (3-6 business days) - free shipping over $75 - but we're talking cheap cutesie shoes, not slippers, and not quality-don't-ruin-your-feet shoes american apparel: $8- free over 75 - but they sell, like, 8 shoes
sears: starts at 4.95, and maybe free to your local Sears if not too remote - I might get ballet slippers in the end. I like slip-ons, but they slips-offs when you put your feet up on the couch, and then they creep under the couch so I can't find them when I stand up!
softmoc: Free over 75, and on some items, but I can't find the shipping price otherwise. - usual blah selection
browns: $5 - but no slippers, and the shoes are probably cheap
shoe company: free after 75, otherwise 9.99 - some of these places have free shipping on in-store pickup, but there are a lot of chains that don't operate in Quebec because of the language laws. - they have a big selection so I'm surprised -> no slippers
fluevog: best discovery of all! Not that I can afford such shoes, cause this is the Real Deal when it comes to fashion shoes. (The customer reviews say they're comfortable, though.) These shoes totally rockit. So of course these folk are in Montreal--definitely our market. Much of their stuff is eco-friendly, and I would guess well made etc. ...I may need to own a pair one day.
Do go browse around. The shoes below are just a drop in the bucket of beautiousness. It's like a shoe candy shop!
I should mention that I haven't really explored my etsy options yet. If I decide to get ballet slippers, this might be the way to go -- something cute and creative, and I haven't experienced the same Duty Issues yet. Just don't remind Fernando that knitted or crocheted slippers may not keep me from getting slivers (he got a glass sliver embedded in his foot this week). Shhhh!
After the depressingness of the George book, I wanted something lighter. And I've started a mystery novel about a bunch of sheep trying to solve their shepherd's murder. I learned of it last year when a customer requested it.
I'm also wondering whether to buy the new Cathleen Schine book. I loved three of her books (Love Letter, Rameau's Niece, Evolution of Jane), and then hated one so much I couldn't finish it. I have a fourth one that I haven't started yet. I'll probably give in--it's cheap on kobo. The reviews are really split, but they were on the books I loved too, so I can't go by that.
In my internet travels, I also discovered that The Enchanted April is in the public domain, so I downloaded it for my kobo. Very exciting! I read it over 10 years ago and enjoyed it. Not in a "OMG BEST BOOK EVER" way, but in a quiet sort of now-I-have-fond-memories way.
