To rock or not to rock

So I'm sitting here having a mini-crisis. That this even passes as a mini-crisis in my life is testament to just how boring I am, but deal with it.

I bought the PS3 way way back in ... January (was is January? No, February.) with the express intent of purchasing Rock Band, and more specifically, Rock Band: The Beatles when it dropped this fall. We're about two months away from said event, and I'm thiiiiiiis close to caving and going and buying Rock Band now. Just plain old, first gen Rock Band. I can still use RB: The Beatles on it, but I don't get my snazz Beatles peripherals. Hrmmmmmm. Do I really want the Ringo drum? I can always buy Paul's bass later. Sigh, what to do.

In other news, it's Sunday and it doesn't appear to be raining, so I think I'm off to complete one very imporant weekend errand: find BBQ stuff. Heh, BBQ peripherals. I need tongs. Sam says the spatchulas aren't the best, but tongs are so necessary. Anything else? Maybe one of those brushes to put sauce on with? I don't think I need to bring my own scrubby brush to clean the thing with, so that's good. Everyone I see going down to the patio has large trays that they carry shit on. I think I need that. This is easily one of the most exciting shopping trips I've ever gone on - who would have thought?! BBQ!

Have a lovely Sunday, boys and girls. As I'm in a good mood, and have been enjoying this set from a few weeks ago from Glastonbury, let's all revisit some delicious Brit Pop together. Man, I miss the 90s. Which reminds me - I was at this restaurant last night, and the DJ was really excellent, and I was reminded, again, how awesome 90s dance tracks were. I want that guy at all my parties. I digress - Blur:

Blur - The Universal
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Monday?

I've hesitated a long time today in actually typing something, as I don't really know how much of anything I need to say. Many (all) of you will ask how that differs from any other day, which I would argue is a pretty valid point, but you all continue to read and I continue to blather on, so here we are. The last few days (read: weeks) have been a blur. I'm not ever sure what day it is, what's coming up, what happened, and the like. So, in order to fill in some of the gaps, here's what I can surmise:

• My unpacking is pretty much all done. All that remains is what's sitting on the dining table, and a small pile on the floor in the bedroom. Very nice.
• I finally did a proper grocery shop. I'm still feeling like the house is sort of empty, food wise (save, of course, my lovingly stocked spice cupboard), but I was able to buy some actual food this weekend and start repopulating the fridge and cupboards.
• Wednesday night is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Price. Who has two thumbs and is fucking excited?!?!?! {Points to self, with said thumbs} This girl.
• I've been taking great advantage of the pool and gym here in my building. They make my life.
  
• Also, I've discovered that the pool is salt water. Aces. So buoyant!
• My washing machine plays a song when the cycle is over. Hilare!
• I read the book (well, the first in the series) that "True Blood" is based on. I predict trashy vampire-mystery-romance novel pass-aroundsies happening at the office.
• My skin is exceptionally dry at the moment. All that salt water?
• This weather is the pits. PITS! I remember, once upon a time, a season called "Summer." The high today was 17, I think. 17!?! In July?! You know, I have some sort of messed up allergy business, where I get congested when it's humid. I don't know what the story is, can't be bothered to find out exactly what's happening - all I know is it's irritating as all hell and happens when it gets hot. All that said, even though I have problems hearing and breathing, I'm not happy unless it's 40 with the humidex. 17!?!?! Is this what Al Gore was preaching about?!?
  
• Speaking of Al Gore, I was watching the news ... recently (I can't remember days of the week, you'll recall), and does anyone remember this? How gross was that!??! I'm sorry to inflict that upon you all again, but if I had to see it and feel down right itchy about it, then so do you. Blame CNN and their highlight reel.
• Ah, saw Rachel Yamagata at Bluesfest on Saturday night. She was most enjoyable. She's the kind of musician where I see her and think we could be friends, hang out, talk shit. She was great - look into it, and better yet, if she's playing in a venue near you, check it out. Also, her bass player looks *exactly* like Abe from Clone High.
  
• Dune is, as expected, going slowly.

Okay, I'm pooped. I got one terribly shitty sleep last night (the short story: I ended up reading the vampire book for three hours in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep), so it's looking mighty like bedtime right now. Sleep tight, everyone.

Oh ya, and Danny from Corrie

I wasn't going to bother writing anything today, but as I've just had a small freak out on the Twitter, I figured I'd move this shit over here, for posterity.

Excuse me, world, but why wasn't I made aware that Apollo is in Law and Order: UK??? I've always been a bit of an Apollo apologist/fangirl, but hellosies! In normal clothes! AND WITH AN ENGLISH ACCENT!!!!!


Methinks Law and Order: UK will find some place in my television watching routine.

Finishing Dune

Or, "The Eleventy Millionth Time I Attempt to Read Dune," by Jenifesto.

I think the first time was a copy I had borrowed from the library. I think it was ... oh christ, I don't know. The year Order of the Phoenix came out, which would be ... after third year university? Second? My brother's friend Ed (D, if you read this - are you still friends with him? He was nice) suggested I read that, and also read Ender's Game. We all know how that ended (In a word: siiiiiiiigh).

For a moment there, I put off reading it, on some sort of related principle that I could never watch the movie because Sting was in it and I hate Sting (send hate mail to blowme@jenifesto.com), which of course is faulty logic but so be it. To be fair, there are two Dunes, and as they were clearly labeled in our house, "David Lynch Dune" and "Six-Hour Dune." But imagine that a book you really really loved was made into a movie staring, like, Alfred Molina. He ruins everything! You could never watch the movie! How disappointing. Well, Sting = Alfred Molina. What if I like the book and I now have to invest in a six-hour mini-series that I haven't exactly heard rave reviews about, or a movie I can't watch (yes, even in spite of Mr. Patrick Stewart).

Anyways, second year of library school I picked up a copy of my own of Dune from the Word on the Street day in Halifax. I started reading it several times while there, never getting further than half way. I was hoping that if I could just make it to the part where Paul Atreides grows up, then it would be smooth sailing.

Record screeching stop noise.

WHAT? How can it be that Paul Atreides doesn't grow up? He's played by Kyle MacLachlan (an ADULT!) in the adaption with Sting, so like, obvs he has to grow up at some point, right? There's like, a break in the novel and it opens back up with something like "15 years later." Like, Harry Potter, or, um, the New Testament? Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me?!? I've been waiting this whole time for a break to come in the novel that's not going to happen????

So, that about brings us to the present. Tonight, I start Dune yet again. One of the things I'm most excited about about this new place is a bathtub I can take an actual bath in. The one at my old place had a few things not going for it, namely: 1) the window was in the shower, so there was always a draft, and 2) the emergency drain was so low, that sitting in the tub displaced the water so badly that you were only ever half submerged. Soooo gross. Anyways, next up - bath tub to soak my aching muscles, and my well thumbed copy of Dune. Wish me luck.

On cut eye, Anderson Cooper, and going back to work

I am so, so, so relieved to get back to a normal schedule. The last few weeks have been all over the place. Between vacations and moving, I haven't worked a full work week in the last three weeks. I'd like to go back to work now, please. I need a nice normal schedule, where I know what day of the week it is. Also, I think the cat has had just about enough of me being home. She isn't even waiting for me to get out of bed in the morning before crawling in there herself - like, bish please, this my turn to sleep. Well, all right then. I can't get no respect around here.

Pop culturally, two things: One, the game show channel has been playing repeats of season 1 of The Mole. I've seen this before, but honestly, what a great season of a show. I watched season 2 and season 5, and 5 just sucked so hard. 2 was okay, but 1 is really, really fantastic. The challenges are smart, the identity of the Mole was pretty well hidden, and it was just all around really entertaining. Ah, and Anderson Cooper. I wish they would make another season like this one. Like, really take some time and plot it out and make it good. I've never watched the Australian ones, so I think I'll look into those. I don't much care for reality TV, but this one is just so good.

Two, anyone else hate hate hate those Caramilk ads with the people dressing like the components of a Caramilk bar?

Unrelated to Caramilk (though, maybe not so much, in that they both fall under the category of "Shit I Can't Stand") , and this is all I'll say on this, as almost no one has raised my ire so much in recent memory: Good riddance, you idiot. You won't be missed. You betcha. (And HAH, to Anderson's facial expressions here. Bish please indeed!)

Well, I'm starving and dinner isn't getting in the elevator and riding up to my apartment all on its own. Have a nice week, everyone.

Home sweet new home

It's done. By 1:00 yesterday afternoon, everything had been moved to the new place. Such a relief, there are no words. My back is pretty sore today and the place is a disaster area, but it's all downhill from here. The apartment, while completely lovely, is all awkward angles and awkwardly placed outlets and connections, but I think it will look quite nice when all these u-Haul boxes are out of here and the artwork is up.

Non cat-enthusiasts can skip this paragraph: But oh my! Sofie is petrified. She's a tough little cookie usually, but this has really thrown her threw a loop. She's been in hiding for the last day, and I don't think she's even eaten one kibble of food. I don't even think she's blinking. When I hold her and bring her around the apartment, she just digs in her nails and shakes. It's so pathetic! I feel bad, but she's certainly keeping out of the way while I get shit done. She seems to be partly coming out of it - exploring somewhat. She's currently hiding under my covers on the bed.

Anyways, so ya, move complete. It's scary how close to work I am (and by scary, I really do mean awesome), and how close to everything in general I am now. Good bye, old neighbourhood! I also scoped out my building's roof top patio this afternoon. It doesn't have any shade, but if I want to sit in the full sun at any point this summer, and have a great view of the city, I know just where to do it. Aaand, I just came back from my very first dip in the pool and use of the steam room. For those of you with invites over (heh, and contact me if you'd like one!), the pool room closes at 11:00, which is a completely suitable later hour.

Unfortunately, however, I came back upstairs to curl up on the couch and get my tv watching on, only to find there's nothing on. I'm actually tuned into a Poirot show on PBS. Hi, my name is Jen and I'm 75 years old. The upside is this episode has Polly Walker in it. Mmmmm, Polly Walker. As a sidenote, I often find myself watching these adaptations and wishing there were more recognizable people in it. Are the Agatha Christie adaptations where B-list English actors go to die? ... And looking at this now, I see they're still doing the Poirot adaptations. Take note: this one I'm watching is from 1990 and had a production cost of $45.00. Have they gotten any better? Do I need to find a senior citizen to ask?

Okay, enough, this has gone on too long. Later skaters.

Moving Day Eve

Holy christ on a cracker, this move needs to end. I'm soooooo tired! Make it go away!!!! Here's the current status report: House is practically all packed - 99%; mostly clean - the floors need to be done when I can actually find them; cat is losing her shit - mercifully not literally - over this disruption to her life. I keep promising her that by tomorrow we'll be in our new home - unfortch, she doesn't speak English and I don't speak Cat. Shrug.; Listening selection has rotated between Keith and the Girl, Iron Maiden, Coheed and Cambria, and Michael Jackson; Exhaustion level - through the roof.

In all this, I'm managing to find small amount of energy with which to be excited. New place! Pool! No more work for the week!

And on that note, I'm off to bed. Which is my couch, since my bed is in a million pieces. Until next time, from my new apartment (!!!) ...

Procrastination Sunday

Oh sweet merciful crap, I hate moving. Haaaaaaate. Where did all this stuff come from? I mean, it's not like there's that much, but easily, the contents of my kitchen have multiplied by eight since when I moved in here. The good news is I'm probably over 50% packed, and clothes are the easiest thing to pack of all. And then, shudder, the cleaning. I can't wait for Wednesday. I'm looking at this like when you have a paper you need to write and it's due at 5. For better or for worse, that paper and all the shit that goes along with it will be over by 5. This place will be empty, come hell or high water, by 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon.

Ooh, and the best coup of all? My dad is in charge of disassembly and reassembly (are those words?). There are exactly three things that need to be taken apart - I am putting him in charge of that, and we've already had The Discussion about the bookshelf. Hex keys at the ready.

So, I guess I should stop procrastinating now and get to work. This place won't pack itself - I know, I've left it, I tried, it didn't happen - and I want all the packing done by this afternoon. I have about one million episodes of Keith and the Girl that I haven't listened to yet, so at least I have some background listening. Wish me luck.

B.C.: The Wrap-Up

At the hot springs park, near Tofino

Well, here I am, back in the Calgary airport. I have a mammoth layover before my flight to Ottawa, which blows. Two more hours here! I mean, no offence to Calgary (and thanks again for the free 'net), but now I'm just at the "I wanna go hooooooooooooome" phase of my vacation. I am holding off on getting a latte until closer to the flight. I am delighted that, unlike all of B.C., the Calgary Airport Starbucks has Lactaid. That will be my reward for spending another hour and a half here in the lounge.

So, in conclusion on B.C. - I loves it there. Loooooove. I'll spare too many details - as everyone who has to talk to me in real life will ask and have to hear about them then too - but suffice it to say that I think it's a really lovely province and I would move here. We saw whales, went to hot springs, camped out, and the natural beauty is just absolutely stunning. I want to come back next summer. I was wanting to go to Germany, but screw it - I think I want next summer to be the Canada East to West tour. Jen, keep the guest room ready!

Now that the vacation is over, however, I am heading back to packing and cleaning madness. I have a strategic plan laid out for how I'm going to tackle my place - the cleaning bit is definitely going to be harder - my stuff is fairly well contained, as it were. I am not looking forward to the following:

1. Cleaning the stove
2. Cleaning above the kitchen cupboards
3. Moving the cat on Wednesday
4. Reassembling the bookshelf.

On that last point - I have that Expedit bookshelf from Ikea that everyone and their mother has. I have the biggest sized one, and I am absolutely not letting my parents leave next week until that bitch is reassembled. I'm also leaving it for them to disassemble on Tuesday, because that's just the kind of shitty kid I am. Eff that bookshelf - so many pieces! So many dowels! So much aggro! Anyways, not fun. But but but! This weekend isn't without some highlights, so at least that's breaking up the not aweseomeness of cardboard boxes and lysol wipes. Still, I will be very, very glad when I'm all moved in on Wednesday afternoon. Errrm, Thursday afternoon, after dad assembles the shelf.

On that note, I'm going to go try and find some way to keep myself sane for the next hour and a bit. Lactaid chai latte in my future! Yay!!

B.C. Update

The last few days have certainly been eventful! Here's a concise rundown:

- Arrived Thursday in Comox, B.C. The weather was very nice, and the surroundings even more so! I can't believe people get to live out here, it's so beautiful. This would, potentially, be nice enough to get me to move out of Ontario.
- Thursday Afternoon: played rock band. I kinda suck, but I love it. Also, notice I'm developing a small pain in my chest. Odd.
- Friday morning: wake up with full blown upper chest pain. Tired, achy, feverish. What in the fuck?
- Friday late morning: Stock up on flu meds, and attempt to purchase a lactaid chai latte. That's a no go here, apparently. Got tea instead.
- Friday afternoon: drive to Victoria. Had a beef dip sammich to die for in Naniamo.
- Late Friday afternoon: Arrive in Victoria. Our hotel was great! We snuck in a trip to the hot tub and steam room before heading out. That felt nice for my congestion.
- Friday night: Hip concert! Wow, they're tremendous live. Like, really great. I, however, could not "Woo." Throat / voice completely and utterly on lock down. But they were still awesome.
- Saturday morning: Excellent night's sleep in the hotel. God, those beds. Went to hot tub to try and clear congestion - not really. Ingested more meds, fell back asleep.
- Late Saturday morning: found a great greasy spoon playing old school country, and had breaky. Decided that orange juice was key to staying upright. We then went shopping. I bought a great cheap dress - it's kind of mod, weird almost ugly belt, will be wearing it to work.
- Saturday noonish: Realize I need more liquids (in addition to having a fever and everything else). Move on like a trooper, and assist in Jen buying a really great maxi dress. Get a tea, but not an orange juice (a crucial error).
- Saturday afternoon: Royal B.C. Museum! Great times! They have a really great exhibit on right now, of stuff from the British Museum.
- Late Saturday afternoon: Go to The Noodle Box for a late lunch before the drive home. Due to a) dehydration (remember - no juice) caused by b) illness and tonnes of pharmaceuticals, I have to throw up not once but twice. Let this be no judgement on the food. I devoured that stuff later. My god, Udon noodles.
- Saturday night: drive back to Campbell River, take more meds, take a shower, watch The Prisoner, read an astrology book, nighty night.
- Sunday (all day): prepare for Jen's party, play Rock Band, have coffee at a nice little coffee shop, have Birthday BBQ, move from a pill based Benelyn to liquid.

Which brings us up to the present. I think the worst of whatever this is has passed. I'm calling it swine flu. Man alive, I never get sick. This is assy timing. But today I just have a gross cough hanging out, that doesn't particularly hurt, so that's all good news. We're off to Tofino today - HOT SPRINGS!!! - so that's exciting. Wish me well in my recovery - I have surfing to attempt!