Goings On (some of which are actually exciting!)

Remember that guy on Project Runway (I think it was Canada, but it might have been U.S., but whatever) who was all "So my catch phrase is "Hey Hey HEY!"?  How deliciously simple and hilarious is that? Like, who announces a catch phrase? And that it's "Hey Hey Hey"?  But anytime I start something and I think to start it with a "Hey" I think of that guy and how I sooper want to yoink "Hey Hey HEY!" for myself.  So on that note:

Hey! It's been a bit, but boy do I have things to report!  Let's roll this one out, in no particular order.

1.  Sarah Slean! 

So, last night was her first night in Ottawa (she's also playing ... as I type), and so not only did I see her in concert (that would be, um, cough, concert number six, cough), but I met her before the show! Nerve-wracking! She was lovely and sweet and swoon!  Here's the set list from last night's show:

Life
Everybody's on TV
Set It Free
I Am A Light
Duncan
Get Home
Notes From the Underground
The Day We Saved the World
Intermission
The Right Words
Attention Archers
My Eyes & Your Eyes
Euphoria
Girls Hating Girls
New Pair of Eyes
California
Society Song
Sound of Water
Encore
When Another Midnight
Amen

Nice mix of older (Duncan!) and new (like the entire "Land" album).  It was a delight.


2.  Downton Abbey

Can we just spend a moment, friends, talking about how much I FUCKING LOVE THIS SHOW!?  Oh my sweet god, it's just the best.  As you may know, Gosford Park is one of my most favourite movies ever.  I've watched and re-watched that movie so many times, and not simply for Clive Own in a wife-beater and, of course, the delightful Mr. Stephen Fry.  I just ... love that movie.  And Downton Abbey is working the same vibes, but HOURS AND HOURS of it.  Season Two is (of course completely ethically and legally, ahem) downloading right now, and I can't wait. LOOOOOOOVE IT.  It's the Sarah Slean of television, and you can quote me on that (to the very specific quarterly journal dedicated to people with the intersecting interests of Sarah Slean and Downton Abbey).  Are you watching this show? Why aren't you watching this show!? Maggie Smith! Playing an old bitch! You can't ever not love that. She is soooo good.  Oh my god, and Bates? I'm unravelling here, people ... watch it.

3.  Jenmas

Oh yes! The season is upon us! As I write, there's a gingerbread Christmas tree kit sitting here behind me waiting to be assembled.  Also, I bought those super fragrant pinecones from Michaels, and I don't care one bit that they'll likely overwhelm my apartment.  The tree is going up on Saturday, Jonathan has (again, completely ethically and legally) downloaded a crap load of Christmas movies* to watch as we do so, and we're breaking out the cheap as dirt (and likely tasting of the same) Advent calendars tomorrow.  Ah! And on Friday? We're crafting and decorating the library all afternoon.   Ooh, and I made peppermint bark last week.  It was awesome, and so easy.  Look like a hero when you bring it to a party - google that shit, find Martha's recipe, and enjoy.  Delish!

4.  My new iPhone

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that my new 4S is so, so awesome (it's the Downton Abbey of electronics).  My 3G, compared to this, was as awesome as roadkill, and that phone was still better than BlackBerries (I'm a hater, whatever).  The camera is so great!  And it's fast!  Like lightning!

I'm sure I'm missing a ton of stuff (ooh, like how I found a neighbourhood in Toronto I actually really like, or how I bought a new coat), but this has already gone on well long enough.  'Til next time, folks.


*IMO, there are four classic TV Christmas specials that are not to missed nor fucked with: Charlie Brown, Frosty, Rudolph, and the Grinch.  Anything else is second tier. And DO NOT get me started on crap like Frosty Returns. That is a resounding "No."  I have a soft spot for the Garfield Christmas as well, though it is certainly "newer."  I also have that on DVD, so it wasn't downloaded.  For movies with actual people in them, there are obviously quite a lot to choose from (and indeed, Christmas isn't Christmas in the 'Festo Household without Daddyfesto yelling "ZUZU'S PETALS!" at the TV), but for this occasion we're going with what, to my eyes, could be the only movie needed, should one be required to watch just one movie.