Archive for the ‘Friends’ Category

There was snow Thursday!! I’m just not ready for that. At some places south of here it was snowing so hard you could barely see. Whoever told me that October was going to be warmer than normal and that kids would be wearing shorts on Halloween…well, they were smoking something really good I think! It’s definitely NOT been warm!

This is where I’m going today…after work.  I’m looking forward to it, but it’s an almost 2 hour drive from work (thankfully, it’s a shorter drive home).  I have never been to CreativFestival before.  I’ll be back later this weekend to let you know how it was and whether or not I could keep myself from spending too much!  I love doing crafty things and one of these days I really need to start sharing some of the items I have made.  I love making my own jewelry and have made several necklaces and keychains for Christmas.  I’m started back up with some sewing items, and do enjoy it, I just need a much better sewing machine, because mine drives me bonkers.  That said, I’m still trying to get a quilt made for Christmas.  I’ve made a few things of one of my SILs.  I also love card making and now that I think about it I really need to get a move on when it comes to Christmas cards.  How the heck did we get into the end of October so bloody fast.  Thankfully I’m making a fairly simple card this year so it shouldn’t take too much time.  Needless to say, this may not be the best place for me to visit!  But I will try my best not to go overboard…for one thing I don’t have the space right now, I already have a pretty impressive collection of fabric.  Goodness knows what I’ll find,  but I know one thing for sure…I am very much looking forward to it.  The festival and a GREAT meal with a friend!

And tomorrow, well, I’m spending Saturday outside helping Hubby.  He does a travelling oil undercoating business and this is his BIG weekend.  I get to pay cashier and social director for the entire day!  Usually I wouldn’t mind (aside from the whole getting up early on a weekend) but as I mention above, it’s going to be cold.  Albeit, not as bad as one year…high wind, snow, sleet, rain, sun.  You name it, we had it!  It’s just not supposed to be warm, and as I said I’m not ready for it to be cold.  That’s really the only thing I don’t like about this time of year.  I’m just never ready for it.

Could everyone stopping by do me a favour…leave a comment telling me where in the world you are located?  I’m going to be asking this for the next week.  I want to use your responses to show my students just how much we are all interconnected since the internet has been come such a big thing. I work in a small community, so this will likely be a very interested project for many of my students.  Thanks.

Here are some places for posting this on Friday.

So I had a coupon to try the new flavoured instant coffee at Starbucks.  The fact that I actually used the coupon is kind of funny.  First, I don’t even like coffee…love the smell, but the taste, ick!  And…coffee puts me to sleep.  Yes, yes, it does!  That said, I bought myself a package of the mocha flavour and you know what…I actually really liked it!  Can’t say it’s something I would drink on a daily basis, but it was pretty darn good.  (Hey, Starbucks, how’s that for a glowing recommendation?!)

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How is it possible that we are this far into the school year already?  We started after Labour Day and it just hasn’t stopped.  It’s been go, go, go and go some more.  It’s so insane somedays that my eyelid has been twitching more and more again and it is really driving me nuts! The fact that school is going so fast is not necessarily a bad thing, but before I know it, winter will be here and with that comes snow. You see I’m not ready for that.

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I’m taking my class to see a play tomorrow at this really great little theatre.  Part of the trip will be stopping at a local market.  For most, if not all, this will be a huge difference to where they usually buy their groceries.  A few years ago some of my students were completely shocked when they saw a side of beef hanging in a refrigerator.  Their reaction was completely priceless!  Sadly this may be the last time I will be able to do this trip.  Since I started going four years ago the bus cost has jumped almost $200, so that now, it’s over $700 just for the bus!!!  Yes, we are definitely out of town,  but I just can’t stomach the cost of the bus.  I wish it wasn’t something I had to think about.

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With any luck I’m heading down to a crafting fair on Friday!  I’m excited about it, even if I know I’m crazy for wanting to go on a Friday…after working all day…knowing I have to get up early. On a Saturday.  Either way, I’m looking forward to the evening of friendship, crafting and a good meal out!

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Anyone else watching Sister Wives?  I caught the first episode and the last.  It’s only been four episodes, but it still intrigues me a bit.  Watching the last episode was kind of funny to me.  The wives have a problem with Kody spending time with the new wife before marriage but this will magically disappear after the “wedding?”  Yep, I don’t get that part at all.  Okay, fine, really I don’t get much of it at all, but I guess I will say that given all the horrible things that have been in the news about fundamentalist LDS I guess it’s nice to see that it’s not all as bad as it looks.  Just for the record, I’m not saying I support the whole idea, but if no one is getting hurt and nothing illegal (yes, I know plural wives is illegal but I’m referring more to fraud) is going on, I’m a live and let live kind of person.  I do have to ask, because to my knowledge (I think I’m answering my own questions) there are no plural marriages where I am…how do people NOT know?  If they live in a non-FLDS community, how do people really not know their set-up.  Well, I guess everyone knows now!

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And this post has been so random…I had to look up and see what the heck I have written about. :S

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Anyone out there ever try chia?  I’ve been reading about it at Happy Foody and I’m thinking of giving it a try.  Help me out here…should I try it or is completely and totally disgusting?

Another great Tuesday linkup or two (I link up to the ones that are posted before bed or before work…otherwise I usually forget)…

Why is that even though I know what’s coming it still makes me upset?  We (Hubby and I) like to watch Deadliest Catch every Tuesday.  I think we’ve actually watched the show since the very beginning.  Last Tuesdays episode was the beginning of the end and I found myself with tears in my eyes.  If you don’t watch the show, one of the main “characters” passed away back in February (and I knew back then that it happened) and in true reality TV form, the show has been following not only the events and happenings of the other captains, but also Captain Phil.  Discovery Channel has done a fabulous job of covering what happened, from Phil being found in his stateroom (after a massive stroke), to his admission and transfer of hospitals.  Tonight is his last  episode…and I plan on having a full box of kleenexes beside me.  I may also have to watch in another room.

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Oh, the farmer’s market!  I made it to the farmer’s market again this week and Ontario produce is finally making an appearance.  I ended up gathering four bags of fruits and veg.  Getting fresh veg is just so much better than the store bought stuff.

If I had more sun (and during the heat I’m glad we don’t) I’d like to have a garden.  Alas, we have tried and failed, but thats okay I’m happy to help my local farmers and buy the food they are growing for me.

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So my Five Finger shoes, yep, they actually are comfortable.  They look ridiculous (and creepy) but they are just so cool!  I don’t know yet if they are helping with my knees but I do notice a difference in my calf muscles.  I can feel them more when I’m walking.  I love walking in bare feet but don’t like the sharp objects (stones, twigs etc) that are around the house and these shoes are a perfect compromise.

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I am so behind in what I wanted to do this summer and you know what…I don’t care!  Well I do care, but it’s not really stressing me out.  I still have a bit of a cough, but otherwise I’m pretty much over my cold.  I may not have enjoyed the cold, but the forced relaxation…that I enjoyed, a lot!

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My friend brought me an early birthday/Christmas present from her recent weekend getaway to Chicago. (They’re not in the same month, not even close)

Like Oprah or not I like the bag!

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I still don’t have the last few plants in the ground yet.  Where they are being planted is in the direct sun most of the day and in the evening, the mosquitoes have been crazy.  I was hoping that with the heat they may have died off, but no such luck.  I am contemplating getting the plants in the ground (before they die) and moving them in the fall.

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My latest Facebook game…

I seem to find a game every summer that is a time killer.  Yet again, I have not been disappointed!

Well, it’s not much, but it’s the randomness that jumped into my mind tonight. Care to join in…

So the last time I posted the Canadian government had all but dropped to “Own The Podium” initative and said the money wouldn’t likely be there to continue funding our athletes.  It still bothers me that this was said, in the middle of the Olympics no less.  Nothing like defeating our athletes before the compete!  It really does tick me off!!

A week later and Canada has kicked up so hard that I hope Harper has felt it.  Sure we have lost some “guaranteed” medals, but equally so we have won some HUGE medals that no one even remotely expected.

Then there’s Joannie Rochette.  Talk about overcoming adversity and still medalling.  That bronze medal is nothing to sneeze at.   An Olympic medal is a pretty impressive thing no matter how you look at it.  To win one just days after losing her mother unexpectedly…is it any wonder why she has been chosen to carry the flag at the closing ceremonies?! She is just one of the many reasons why I am proud to be Canadian.

Curling, oh curling.  I have never watched as much as I have this week!  I do enjoy the sport, but it almost became an obsession.  I mean really, how many times to I stop at Future Shop (okay fine it seems like we are there almost daily – don’t ask!) and spend more time watching TV with the employees, than we spent shopping/returning items.  Granted it was the women’s gold medal game.  Oh that was a hard one to watch.  A silver medal is nothing to be sad about, but man that was such a heartbreak the way that last rock ended.

The men, oh my goodness, could you make it any harder on me?!  That was a fabulous game to watch! Thank goodness that game did not go into extra ends, I really don’t think I would have made it through.  What I loved most…the crown spontaneously breaking into O’Canada and Martin stopping the game while they sang.  Another proud Canadian moment.  You did the country proud guys.

The last full day of competition not only had the men’s curling win gold, buy we also won 2 others!  It was an incredible day at the Olympics.

I also had a great time on Twitter (I had atleast one RT which is kind of cool) and texting my friend (who was at the opera one of the nights).  It was just plain fun to be interconnected with people I don’t even know, who were doing the same thing I was doing – sharing a wonderful experience. (That just sounds much more sappy that I intend)
I am kind of sad to see the Olympics end, but also very happy to see it come and go.  I may get back my life, I have never watched so much sports in my life.  Not to mention the nailbiters are just getting to hard to handle.  I think my stomach needs a bit of a break.

And then the men’s hockey.  I swear I could hear Canada collectively cheering and screaming at their TVs/radios/computers during the gold medal game.  I know I was having a blast watching the posts on Twitter.  Between the Canadians and Americans I follow, it was VERY entertaining. And I started this post before the game was over, now I can say

YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

WE WON THE GOLD IN HOCKEY!!!!

Not only did we win that gold, which let’s be honest was freakin’ awesome, we also got 26, yes 26 medals at the olympics (thank you very much Mr. Harper).  And….we now have 14 gold medals…more than any other host nation EVER!  How cool is that?!
I am going to watch some/all of the Closing Ceremonies tonight (depends on how late they run, it is a school night after all). I’ll let you know…maybe.

All I can say is, I am a PROUD CANADIAN, and lovin’ it!

Closing Ceremonies Update: Well I have to say VANOC did a freakin’ awesome job at the closing ceremonies.  From starting with making fun of the whole Olympic Opening Ceremony flame fiasco (Yeah Catrina LeMay Doan for finally getting to light the flame!).  To, William Shatner, Catherine O’Hara and Michael J. Fox…brilliant.  Perhaps the best line of the ceremonies:

We’re sorry you thought Canada was one big frozen tundra! Perhaps best line of the closing ceremonies!

Way to go writers and Catherine O’Hara!

Some of it was admittedly over the top…not sure about the big Maple leaf flag dancers.  Looks like something from Vegas to be honest.  That said it really ended the ceremonies perfectly.  All the stereotypical and cultural Canadian icons being danced around the stage, from a big table hockey game, to huge beavers and moose, to voyageurs “paddling” their canoes.  All done to an extended Michael Buble version of “Maple Leaf Forever.” And from that came this…
I have fears of people coming home and turning on the TV and thinking this is a serious portrayal of Canada.  Best line #2 of the night!

Yep, I’m proud to be Canadian!!

Okay, so by the clock I am a little bit late with today’s submission, but since I haven’t gone to sleep yet it’s still Friday to me. So there.  Actually, I was really sure what to post as I have not transferred pictures from one computer to the next.  I was going through the pics when I completely realized I have not posted any pics from the trip to the Toronto Zoo from last summer.  So, for your viewing pleasure here are a few of my favourites.

This little guy is pregnant.  Yes, I said guy.  For those who don’t know it is the male who has the kids in the sea horse family.  I think I like that idea.  Do I have a seconder?

I love how this picture turned out!  What can I say, my cheap little point and shoot can take some freakin’ awesome pics.

Proof that we had a summer last year.  It was too hot for these guys so they decided an afternoon siesta was in order.

The baby Mountain Goats had me giggling they were so cute.

Part of the day included going to Sting Ray Bay…yes, that is my hand petting the ray.  Petting it I could do, feeding it, not so much…it completely creeped my out.

And last, but not least, evidence of my trip.  I remember the heat, but looking at my hair, it was humid too!  I cannot say that I would ever want to come across a Komodo Dragon in the wild, but a bronze statue at the Zoo, that I can to.

I never thought I’d be able to say this, not that I ever wanted to, but I have a personal connection to the Casey Anthony murder trial. Although some people may not find this to a be a good thing, to me it is actually pretty cool to be able to say this.  Back in January (yes, I am just posting this now, because I only found out about a month ago) Casey Anthony’s defense team was named.  Among those listed to the team are: Dr. Henry Lee (known from the OJ Simpson and Laci Peterson trials), Kathy Reichs (author and basis of the television show Bones) and Dr. Scott Fairgrieve (who?).  Those are just a few of the forensic experts – she really does have a dream team working on her behalf.

Before I continue any further, for those of you who now know, let me fill you in.  My educational background is anthropology, specifically forensic anthropology.  I was incredibly lucky to do my thesis research at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, in Washington DC (some seriously awesome stuff) and had the opportunity to attend two American Academy of Forensic Science conferences.  During those two times I have heard Dr. Henry Lee speak (it was shortly after the OJ trial and right around the time the movie Fargo came out – he helped on that case too!).  I also had the opportunity to have lunch with Kathy Reichs.  She is a very talented author for sure, but I simply cannot read her books.  She was actually in the process of publishing the first book when I met her (if I recall, $1 million, that’s the advance she received for the first two books!  Well worth it given her popularity).  I also had the opportunity to meet many people who are still a part of the forensic science community.  It was a really amazing time, but finances prevented me from going any further (despite being accepted to grad school in England!) – $30, 000 for tuition was a little hard to swallow!

So what is my connection to the Casey Anthony case, well that would be a who.  Dr. Scott Fairgrieve was my professor throughout university.  It is because of him that I went into the forensic aspect of anthropology, completed the thesis I did and got to meet the people I met!  I also spent two years working as his educational assistant.  It was awesome working for him because I had the opportunity to do so at the time he was setting up the forensic laboratory and the forensic science degree program at Laurentian.   This man knows his stuff.  It is because of this that I truly enjoyed this posting from Webslueth:

“Well I’m from Ontario and I’ve never heard of him…..But then we don’t televise our trials either lol”

When I first heard he was working on the case I figured it was for the prosecution.  In fact he is working for the defence.  Before you make any comments to the idea of “how could he?”  you must realize one this about this field of work – the truth will come out no matter what side you work for. Dr. Fairgrieve is simply “helping” by looking at evidence, making sure everything was handled and identified correctly.  He is not trying to get her off for a crime she may or may not have committed (regardless of how it looks I still believe in innocent, until proven guilty).  It really does take a certaint type of person to be able to do this job, to separate yourself from the evidence at hand from your personal feelings about what may or may not have happened.

I know otherwise but I would love to ask him questions about the case, as disturbing as it may seem, the forensic mind in me is equally intrigued.

I am still having troubles embedding videos so I will give you this link instead.*

I’m sure I will be watching and reading as the trial unfolds now that I know someone involved.  As of July 14th the trial has been postponed until sometime in 2010.

* Please note, Northern Life is a small northern Ontario news program, not CNN!

Update: Sorry for those of you who could not see this post, I just learned not to cut and paste directly from Word as it royally screws up the coding and therefore my entire blog.  I think the problems have now been fixed – now that I have completely retyped this entry!

Update 2: It is all working now, of course I just sent a request into my host for help.  I forgot to erase the word coding at the end of the post. Everything seems to be happy and fixed.

First of all, yesterday was the last day of school and I had a blast with my students.  We planned on having a balloon/water fight and I wasn’t really sure if it would happen because of some really bad weather that was potentially heading our way.  As it turned out the weather (2 tornados hit southern Ontario) swung south and didn’t hit us.  About 45 minutes before the end of the day my class and another one went out for an all out water battle!  My students (all of them seemed to know) totally set me up to be the first one to get wet.  By the end I was drenched and covered, whacked with whipped cream.  I had whip cream so deep in my ear that I actually had a clogged ear and couldn’t hear the best for a few hours.  It was one of the best parts of the year – it was fabulous.

And…our staff party was last night.  As I said the weather was wonderful. Great temperature. Clear sky. We could not have asked for better.  The sunset was the best one I think we have had out there (third time we celebrated the end of the year there).  I honestly don’t think it could have been better, it was just a great way to end the year.  Apparently this year I turned into a party animal (or so I was told) because I was one of the last to leave…just after 10 p.m.  If I didn’t have passengers I may have even stayed later (although truth be told I was getting pretty tried at that point and we were still expected at work this morning).

On to Photo Friday.  As I promised earlier this week, here are just a few of the 138 pictures I took in a 45 minute period during the Orillia Airshow.

The CF 18 opened the show.

I don’t think I could have timed this shot any better!  Talk about close quarters.

Look closely and you can actually see the inside of the cockpit.

I love that you can read (almost) everything on the belly of the planes.

I love this picture, I just wish I had waited a split second longer before I took it.

Tomorrow is the last day of another school year (for the students, we have Friday as a staff).  Summer finally hit and it has been so hot that it has almost been unbearable.  So of course, we decided today would be a great day for a staff/grade eight baseball game…in the heat of the afternoon. Of course! Actually, despite some complaining, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.  The challenge was on, if the staff lost our grade four teacher was going to get pied, if we won, he got to pie the challenger.  Well…..WE KICKED BUTT!  Big time.  The finally school was 9-1 for us.  That said the students definitely got the last laugh.  Apparently they had it planned with sponges and water balloons (and me in a white t-shirt!).  I faired pretty well and only took one good size balloon in my lower chest (low enough that the white t-shirt didn’t matter, high enough that the bloody thing actually hurt!).  I can honestly say I didn’t mind the least, the water felt wonderful with how hot it was.  As a matter of fact I have a water fight planned with my students for the end of the day tomorrow.  I can only imagine how wet I will be, although this time I will be better prepared – black t-shirt is definitely in order.  It was a lot of fun playing with our graduating students and I am equally looking forward to tomorrow.  Although I do have to admit, I still don’t feel like the school year is ending.  It’s been a VERY long year, but I just don’t feel like it should be done quite yet.  Yes, I know, I must be sick.
This evening, despite the heat, he ventured into town for festivities.  One of the current Snowbirds is a resident of my town (at least his parents’ still are).  The airshow started with a CF-18 doing about a 15 minute demonstration.  It always amazes me watching the fly-bys and the speeds (both fast and slow) that these jets can fly.  It is a pure adrenaline rush.  For me thought the best part was most definitely the Snowbirds.  I try and see them whenever I can and the never fail to impress me.  It was the perfect weather for it (although a little cooler would have done me fine too).  The sky was the perfect colour blue and the sun was in a great spot in the sky for picture taking, and taking I did.  There were a few new moves, but for the most part it is the same show that I love.  I can still remember seeing them when I was a little kid and truly the thrill was not lost, they are so graceful and spectacular.

There are some who believe that the government/military needs to disband the Snowbirds for various reasons, but it usually falls back to the expense of running the team.  If you saw the crowds watching today I don’t know how anyone can think that the Snowbirds should shut down.  They are goodwill ambassadors for Canada and truly capture their audience regardless of the age (well almost, there were a few really young ones around me who may disagree).   I will forever be a fan and have no problems with my tax dollars going to support this worthwhile team.

And to top things off, I got some freakin’ AWESOME pictures…but you’ll have to wait until Friday to see them (mainly because it is late and I don’t really think I will get to them until then).

See you Friday!

Come on, it’s a good title, think of the “culture” I have been writing about the past two posts.  And it made me giggle when I thought of it.
I have continued with my whirlwind cultural education again last night.  My friend and I attended the Il Divo concert last night at the ACC in Toronto.  I blame my mother (she sent me this link) for the fact that I even decided to venture out on a school night, especially to someplace that is a two hour drive from home.  Actually, as we (I travelled with another teacher and her friend to meet up with my friend) drove toward downtown Toronto around 5:30, I really felt as if I hadn’t even been to work that day, it seemed like so long ago.  After plenty of phone/answering machine tag, a few text messages and confusion as to which route we took, I did finally meet up with the friend joining me for our evening of culture (incidently, this is the same friend who joined me for my cultural experience at the AGO on Saturday).  A quick dinner at Shopsy’s and on to our seats.

Before I recap the concert (in as little detail as possible) I have to tell you that at this point I was starting to get tired, but like the trouper I am, I continued (what option did I have, I was two hours from home without a car).  Just remember, this was a school night, so just imagine how impressed I was that they were almost a half hour late in starting, is that Il Divo or Il Diva (bad joke, okay, busted!).  I know their music, I just don’t “know” their music, in other words I truly enjoy it, but don’t know the words (English or otherwise, unless it is a cover) and I don’t know their names – short of knowing Simon Cowell “discovered” them I don’t have much of a knowledge of them.

Here’s what I learned, David (the “American”) has an incredible European accent for someone born and raised in the United States.  Carlos (the Spanish dude) is absolutely priceless, I truly enjoyed how he not only made fun of himself (“enough cheesiness…”) he also made fun of the middle-aged women swooning over him (more on that in a second).  Sebastian has gone from a French popstar with bad teeth, to a heartthrob (I guess) with some pretty impressive dental work.  (If you don’t believe me look here.)   Poor Urs, there is nothing I can say about him, very memorable I suppose!

The back drop videos were absolutely horrible, a randomly moving dog in a almost still picture, “beautiful” women that I am not sure if they were moving in a slow motion vogue or were part of some sort of time lapse video that moved extremely slow.  And the women, some were visibly shaking with excitement, some (one) even threw her underware at them on stage during the encore – do people really do this? – YES!  The poor women beside us were almost in tears and were shaking in their excitement. I found great humour in this, especially the cheering and comments that Il Divo could of course hear from the 3rd level, 14th room.  I also enjoyed the ladies and gentlemen who were dressed tuxes and evening dresses, again on the 3rd level…last row.  Am I being too critical because really I was having fun.
Now for the good part, as if what I have told you so far wasn’t good!  The music was fabulous.  Once you overlooked everything else (I did finally ignore the backdrop) I have to admit the concert was pretty good.  Their voices are even better in person, which says a lot because the ACC does not have the best accoustics.  By far the best piece was Amazing Grace – done as the first encore.  It was fabulous, the only thing that would have made it better was if their was a piper on stage with them (a la Youtube video).

Overall, I was impressed with the concert, but by no means was it the best one I have been to.  It was great to get out with my friend and enjoy ourselves (she made just as much fun as I did…even downloading the Zippo app for her iPhone!).  I was home by 12:30 a.m. and sleeping just before 1.  Amazingly I made it through the day at school and still had it in me to stay up beyond 5 p.m. tonight!