The Errors of My Ways

Two full weeks into my new job on my own and ... ouch! A couple of time-consuming errors have made my days much longer than I hope they will be in the future. I am not a fan of my mistakes. At the moment they are revealed I feel instantly stupid. I hate that feeling. But in the end, mistakes always teach me more than any instant success. And at a job with so many details they are unavoidable in the beginning. I just wish it wasn't such a hectic and crucial time for my organization so that my learning curve wouldn't feel like such a rollercoster loop! Somedays I wake up and am afraid of what damage I may cause next. The perfectionist in me can get a little nasty. But it only takes 10 minutes in my office to relax and start the day and I know that I will be fine.

How Cool is Easter?

If you're me in 2006, then Easter is pretty cool. Or at least totally satisfying which is cool. I bought a last minute (overly expensive) flight to Ontario to join my family - SURPRISE! - for the long weekend. I only missed one day so I got a full Sat/Sun combo with the parental units, the sibling, the sis-in-law, the extended gang and the nephew. In fact, we got a dad, a grandad AND a great-grandad on the deck all at the same time! Saturday was turkey dinner and Sunday was buffet brunch. I LOVE the brunch meals that have been de rigueur at family gatherings for as long as I remember. Thankfully the weather was nice enough that we could sit outside on the deck and use my new Old Navy sunglasses. We had to restrain the dog - its SO funny how much puppy is still in her even though she's 14 years old! But the entire scene was full-on family and I couldn't have asked for more. And then I went back inside and filled my plate with deviled eggs (whew! they had some heat), sliced ham, kosher pickles, fruit salad, bagels & cream cheese, tomato salad, pickled salmon, asparagus spears and mimosas just for fun. I also enjoyed some much-needed sleep. That sleep you get when you DON'T have to get up the next day. But I still managed to be up before 10 both days ... this job may have ruined me! Mom still plays Easter Bunny but in lieu of chocolate at got DVDs. Gotta love it! I got my fair share of eggie goodness at Beth's on Sunday (and another turkey dinner! YUM!) when she presented a giant steel bowl of classic Easter treats. I was in awe. The timing and length of the trip was perfect. It was exactly what a long weekend should be!

"Why is he Stealing My Berries?" ... "He just got off Lent."

Those two phrases were the bookends of a truly funtastic Thursday night as I hung out with my friend Jodi in Toronto. After a quick skip west on the plane, I made my way to the Library Bar at the Royal York Hotel - the designated meeting spot for the night. Jodi appeared 5 minutes after me and promptly announced that we must go elsewhere. Good call as the stodgey snobbery of the Library Bar WAS a bit much.

Around the corner she had found a bar that was "happening" and we made our way to KI. It is a very cool looking establishment with a great patio and asian-style decor. But upon seeing the long vanity line, we decided that it wasn't the place for us. It was already 9:30 - no time to wait. So we run kitty corner and head to Canoe. Canoe is located on the 53rd floor of a downtown office building and possesses a stunning view of the city. My favourite part was the kind reception we got from the host AND hostess at the door as they offered to check my blue Eddie Bauer duffle bag. After a minor scramble to quickly pack a suitable evening purse we were at the bar and ordering our first round of $12 martinis. MMMMMMMM .... tasty. Although Jodi's cosmopolitan was never really satisfactory. Three drinks, 1.5 hours, one business plan discussion (Jodi amazes me!) and $45 later we were off again.

Jodi has moved into shared digs not far from Queen west and has created a teak paradise of a room. I almost didn't want to leave. But after a quick change into jeans and a couple of hiphop tunes we were back out the door to her local bar. This place would be our home for the night. That wasn't the original plan but, like most things in this neighbourhood dive, it just sorta happened. Ramchackle furniture and random wall hangings match a cobbled together back "patio" that is reminiscent of many hostel bars I visited downunder. It's a place where Labatt 50 is served, you get a can of Coke with your mixed drink, "the Tab" is a colletion of chicken scratches in a notebook (no credit card hold required) and everyone knows everyone ... eventually. In the three hours we were there, the bar went through a bottle and a half of jagremeister shots. Jodi and I had to partake. And although she got tequila, we received our liquid deaths as free pours into the bottom of a small table glass rather than a shot. The entire scene had a family kitchen-party vibe that you couldn't help but enjoy. And through it all was meandering Steve. He could barely stand. And although he is a "brilliant scientist", his alcohol tolerance left much to be desired. The reason? He had forsaken drinking for Lent and Thursday was his return to the fold. In the end, good times had by all.

White is the New ...zzzzzzzzz

It has been over a month since I posted a picture of my nephew extraordinaire. How could I have been so careless! Well, here he is again. A little ghost with giant chompers. How cute is that?! Seriously, I think Taggy is one of the few things in the world that turns me into a sentimental moron. Rob says he's begun to show his displeasure with things by throwing objects at the floor. Sort of a "take that" response I guess. These days I can understand. I am totally swamped at my new job. There are no moments of rest. I feel completely overwhelmed and lost and energized and capable all at once. I am actually amazed at how un-stressed I feel. Occassionally I feel stupid. But the stress remains in check. I am, however, dog tired. It takes A LOT of brain power to be productive for 8 hours straight - kudos to all you that have been doing it these past few years. I guess the best thing to hope for is to find a job that makes you smile like buddy here - THAT would be a blessing.

The Bright Side

I took this picture from my living room window this evening. It is one of the joys of living on the 20th floor. And it was a random moment in an otherwise frustrating day when I looked outside and saw the sky on fire. I love a good sunset. Today I am in the deepest depths of procrastination and the inertia that brings. It's like my brain is blocked with a brick wall of weak thoughts and I am completely incapable of completing my last assignment of the year. It's gonna be a long night. But this is one dark spot in a week that has been quite sunny. I completed my first full week of work and I love my new job. It's challenging and frustrating and stimulating and I am positive that I will (one day) be really good at it! I have amazing co-workers who make me smile. I have wonderful friends here that I need to trust in more and worry about less. I got to see both Bryan Adams AND the Constantines in concert this week. I got a new pair of shoes that are rockingly stellar. I have made a new friend with potential. So, the sun is going down tonight but its shone bright for days.

Bio-Blog #7 ... Beth

I went back to university, didn't party much and lived with my parents. Because of this, it took me awhile to find some friendly gems in the nickle city. One of the diamonds is Beth - this week's biography. Beth came into my life through a random social idea that has now become a bit of an institution and a solid gal pal in the greater scope of life. We've had great times sipping martinis, watching cheesy movies, enjoying a good BBQ and closing down the pub with rousing tales on ANY subject. She totally inspires me because she is one of the most genuine and caring people I know who has managed to raise two lovely daughters, get her university degree and still dream big. And then we had that one night with the INCO guys ...

I am ... sooooo flattered that Raye picked me as the first bio from her Hometown!
I can ... burn pretty much everything that I try to cook!
I love ... so many different things! Number one is my girls, but I also love Cadbury mini eggs, listening to music in my car really loud, and making people laugh…..usually at something stupid that I did!
I will ... never forget how much my family has done for me. My dad is the most amazing person I know.

What is your sign? Aries
Where were you born? At the Sudbury General Hospital. March 31st @ 8:31 pm
Where do you live now? Sudbury!

What has been the best place you've visited in between and why?
Hmmm, I’m not a world traveler like Raye and her other friends. I really haven’t been to many places. The best place I would love to visit is Australia, but I’m also hoping to visit Raye in Halifax in the near future!

What is your favourite:
Movie: Forest Gump, Monster’s Inc,
Book: Where the Red Fern Grows, Da Vinci Code
TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Drink: Rum & Diet Coke or Dry White Wine and Georges Mint Chocolate Martini’s

Who is your celebrity hottie of choice?
Jake Gyllenhal, and George on Greys

If you could have lunch with anyone in the world ... who would it be and why?
I think I would have lunch with myself when I was about 13 years old. Give myself a little pep talk and some insight on how wonderful life will be after puberty is all done and over with!

How do you know Raye?
I know Raye from her less exciting educational journey at LU. St. Mary’s sounds like a blast! Raye was in the same program as me, we were in a few classes together but never really hung out until I got invited to one of Raye’s Wings & Beer. I really looked up to her…..she is soooooo smart. I was having a horrendous time with a Policy paper (and presentation for the next day!) she was gracious enough to pull an all nighter with me to fix MY paper….the rest is history! I miss her buckets!

What 3 words would you use to describe Raye?
Brilliant, Dramatic, Cool
Do you have your own website?
Nope!....not even a “My Space”…hmmmm, I should get with the times!

My Boy Bryan

Did you know that I love Bryan Adams? In 1993 I saw him in concert for the first time. I went with my bestest friend - Natalie - and we took a "concert caravan" from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie to see him play. It was the year of his Waking up the Neighbours Tour and we had general admission tickets. We got crunched in the crowd and sweated buckets and got within three rows of the stage. That's what you do at 16 and it was awesome!

I always knew that I would see him again. And this past week turned out to be full of Bryan sightings. Last Saturday he walked past me in a hotel lobby - only 2 feet away (he's actually quite short). And then I saw him accept his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Junos on Sunday. And then it was the concert. Playing to a packed house at the Halifax Metro Centre, my boy Bryan rocked us with his Room Service Tour. It was awesome!

By the end of the show I was a giddy fan-girl. I was jumping up and down I was so excited. He sounds the same as always. That great raspy garage rock voice. And when you're in an arena with everyone singing the words there is nothing more cool. There were moments when the song was owned by the audience - that beautiful mass hymn of fans singing. And there were swaying arms, and lighters (or rather cellphone screens) in the air, and bright lights and crashing cymbals. Bryan kept it basic in a black Tshirt and jeans (turned cuffs) and worked the stage for everyone's enjoyment. At one point he brought a random fan on stage to sing "Baby when you're Gone". It was an excellent moment. By the end, he got down in the crowd and shook hands and took digital photos of himself with fans. The love was energizing to watch. And it was a solid show. Two full hours. Two encores. It was awesome!

V for Vendetta - movie review

OMG!! If I say that V for Vendetta blew my mind I would not be exaggerating. And although part of me feels that maybe I am too easily fooled I will stand by my point-of-view that the film is one of the best I've seen in a long time. It is hard to nail down exactly what makes the film so impressive as the discussion turns into a cacophony of competing elements. Really, it is through the integration of visual, mental and verbal strengths that makes V a worthy letter.

The film starts from solid source material. Adapted from a graphic novel of the 80s and written for the screen by the guys who gave us The Matrix, Vendetta is [to quote Greg] "Shakespearean" in its timeliness. The film opens with a historical account of Guy Fawkes' attempted destruction of British parliament in 1605 and sets the stage for both the leading character's identity and the film's themes of rebellion, civil disobedience, and the nature of citizenship. If that sounds a litte heady for an action film - it is. But that is what makes Vendetta a valuable experience. Asking more questions then it offer answers, V pulls the audience directly into the dilemma of how to have a voice in this world. And it's done with intelligence and flair.

It is no surprise to cynics out there that Vendetta takes place in Britain. It is hard to imagine the film taking place in America when one of the central themes is blowing up the government (only aliens can do that in the USA!) as an act of freedom. Vendetta is clearly influenced by Orwell, Huxley and Vonnegut (all favourites of mine) among others and builds a story about losing fear in the face of oppression. Evie (Natalie Portman) serves as the audience's mirror in the film as she walks the path to confront and overcome fear. The film articulates how a fear of death is propped up by faith, wealth and power. Uncertainty or lack of control in any of these areas leads to increased fear for the individual. In orgainzational terms these three pillars are the church, the market, and the government and when all three have conspired in concert they can work against, rather than for, the people. Vendetta is about such a conspiracy.

As the movie progresses, the villiany of society systems is exposed in many ways. Further, the complicitness of citizens in building their own cages is clearly expressed. No cow is sacred. The military, industries, government, pharmaceuticals, nuclear power, torture, television, violence, intolerance and chaos all dot the canvass of Vendetta's visuals. These images are positioned against the concepts of love, freedom and justice to generate an ethical and values debate that requires more than one conversation to digest. And as the film pulls in references and images and quotes from throughout human history you cannot help but feel moved. (Admittedly, I cried in the closing minutes.)

In the end, the film will leave an impression on any viewer. I was tickled by the wonderful dialogue (V's opening alliterative monologue in particular), dazzled by the deliberate staging, and mesmerized by the mind-bending connections. As a lover of words, Vendetta is a satisfying testament to their power. One line states that "artists use lies to tell the truth" - the makers of Vendetta have taken this comment to heart by acknowledging the falseness of film as a medium to expose the realities of our world. In the end, V's quest is not of vengeance but of voice. It is about being active rather than passive. It is about reminding the system that it serves us. And as a tide of Guy Fawkeses stormed the parliament I couldn't help but wonder if I would have been one of them. A film that makes me question the strength of my beliefs? Yeah - that's a Very good one.