Nasty White Sneakers

Keith Olbermann

2008-08-08T14:57:42Z

I meant to post this earlier but the move is really slowing me down.

It's a well known fact amoung my family that I love Keith Olbermann. It was my freak out last night over the phoneline, and therefore the internet, not working in my new apartment. Oh no how will I sleep without my fix of Keith!

Anyway this was the number one Bushed segment on Tuesady's show. Old news for many but I liked seeing it out there.

The Point...
The only possible conclusion is never mind whatever phobias or latent tendencies they may be fighting internally, never mind the prejudices in which they wallow in their personal lives, this is inarguably true: the U.S. military, the presidential administration and our nation as a whole are officially more afraid of American gays than of Middle East terrorists. That is insane!

Number one, don‘t ask, don‘t tell, don‘t translate-gate. The “Christian Science Monitor” reporting that the dearth of Arabic and other Middle Eastern language translators is so severe that the Army is offering a bonus to those who stay in the service or sign up to join it of up to 150,000 dollars. But it still won‘t repeal, or even just happen not to apply the moronic don‘t ask, don‘t tell policy, which has resulted in the firing of more than 300 gay Arabic translators who might ultimately cost 45 million dollars to replace just in bonuses.

George Bush has told us for seven years that Iraq is the front line in the war on terror. John McCain has screamed it at us for seven months and talked about needing to keep an American presence there for anywhere from a month to a millennium. But we‘re kicking out Arabic translators who want to stay, while we‘re offering 150,000 dollars to the ones who want to leave. The only possible conclusion is never mind whatever phobias or latent tendencies they may be fighting internally, never mind the prejudices in which they wallow in their personal lives, this is inarguably true: the U.S. military, the presidential administration and our nation as a whole are officially more afraid of American gays than of Middle East terrorists. That is insane!

Allow me to be thrilled.

2008-08-08T12:03:28Z

You are among the 200 attendees selected to participate in the Richard Dean Anderson In-person Autograph Session during Gatecon - Vancouver 2008!

In other news...
15 minutes walk at a strolling pace. Excellent.
Phone is not working and Bell wants $80 to start to come see what's what. Booo.
First night in the apartment. Fire alarm. Luckily it was 9:30. Kids stink.

But but....
RDA in person !!!x1billion! Beyond cool.

Stuff...

2008-07-24T17:05:19Z

So apart from spending money I am addicted to goldfish crackers.

Tonight we are going to Caynes. We hope to leave with a toaster oven, mircowave, slowcooker, pasta pot with insert and who knows what else. Betting on whether we will spend more then $500 is now open.

Also ... Is Billy O'Reilly on drugs?

Money, money and more money.

2008-07-23T19:05:47Z

Phone $32.94
Internet $44.95
Car Insur. $179.66
Apt. Insur $25.74

Next up Hudson Movers.

9th Gate.

2008-07-16T02:48:58Z

Went to Ikea tonight.

We did manage to buy a sofa and test boxes for our dvd/cd collection that now lives in paper sleeves.

Jerk

2008-07-14T21:49:19Z

Creepy! A guy somehow was able to get Mum's password and forge a card and use it. He used the forgery at home depot-- two toilets $1946.00. Bastard. There goes my theory that that is a rare thing you don't need to be so paranoid about that sort of thing. *sigh* People suck. Home depot was able to see the guy in security footage so their insurance will give her the money back but still.... how the hell did they get that?

Annoyed

2008-07-13T02:56:34Z

The person selling the complete 4 seasons of Farscape on dvds for $450, is really pissing me off. Cannot answer simple questions without being a jackass. I mean do they want the $450 or not? Me, I want to make sure I am getting what I want for such a HUGE amount of money.

I joined up with iTunes ( and we all know how much I hate going into windows) so I could buy them that way only to discover iTunes CANADA doesn't carry farscape although the US one does. Jerks.

I am really close to downloading them and saving myself the grief as well as the money.

Also, I want to rewatch the Chris Martin interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos but I can't even find a transcript of the darn thing.

Alive and finally online again.

2008-07-04T02:29:04Z

Move #1 went off with minimal pain. Can't find anything. Scratched my monitor. Finally got Damien working tonight. It was a lose connection with his power button. Move #2 happening somewhere around the first week of august. Many many things need to be thrown away before that because our crap will not fit into a 2 bedroom apartment.

Need to catch up my P365 pictures maybe tomorrow.

Ahhhhhhhh!

2008-06-27T03:54:29Z

Moving stinks.

I will no doubt loose net connection tomorrow. I may get it back quickly....but who know with my ISP.

I'm back at work Wednesday in any case.

Happy Canada Day!

Food & Moving

2008-06-25T02:36:46Z

Went to a new Mediterranean restaurant. Ali Baba's. Not nearly as good as my usual noname place. They did have great hot sauce but their garlic sauce was crappy. There must be a skill involved with making shawarma and this place just doesn't have it although they are very nice, and really, way more convenient.

Speaking of food there is none at home this week. Too much packing etc to worry about it... I suppose next week will be as bad.

Reading a Mulder/Scully and a John/Rodney fic, bit of one bit of another then switch back. I shouldn't really be wasting anytime on fic I should be packing but I needed a break.

The pics of Hewlett's wedding are awesome. My favourite is the one with The Kid. What a great capture of a family moment to look back on in years to come. See the pics... here

Packing, moving...The Interview

2008-06-24T02:30:47Z

Pack. Pack. Pack. Oooh found some chocolate... YUM. Pack. Pack. Pack.

Not sure how we did in the interview. I cannot *sell yourself* and that was the last question. You should let me into the co-op because ...."I'm nice and will pay my rent". Laaaaaaame! I stinko at interviews. I hope they will think of the rest of the hour and a half and not focus on that last question. I will need some Jack/Daniel fic to recover before bedtime.

Packing and Waiting

2008-06-23T03:27:58Z

Wow moving stinks. Seems like every time is worse then the time before and we don't even move that often.

We have an interview for the co-op place tomorrow. It's a single floor 2 bedroom ( the 2 bedroom 2 floor deals have bigger bedrooms) *fingers crossed*

meneathiel @ 2008-06-19T22:46:00

2008-06-20T03:11:01Z

How have I not been watching Numb3rs?

Going to look at an apartment tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Still not finished packing.

Hail Me!

2008-05-30T19:25:47Z

Today I killed a HUGE spider. I was so brave. Saved the peppers. Had Lunch with someone whose birthday I totally forgot. *still guilty*. Discussed XMen canon. Heroes spoilers and the upcoming Mummy 3.Played Shisen-sho mahjongg. Continued my ongoing task of reading all of chelle's SGA fic. while also reading The R Word.

Last night I watched Double Dare feeding my current girl crush of Zoe Bell.

Tonight I think I'll go to the storage locker and rescue Kill Bill from exile.

Yay! 4 day week...

2008-05-20T13:30:42Z

hmmm Long weekend... no C tuesday morning...

Not buying it.

I am evil bad. I serously worry about the ability of doctors to actually fix anything long term.

Also booo double shift day. Boss is against paying overtime but we have no other option so even though he says nope you can't work doubles I'll get someone to work that shift... he never does.

Random

2008-05-16T01:25:31Z

I seem to recall FudgeeOs tasting better when I was younger.

It is way more fun shooting your pics with someone.

Re Planet Terror - Where did the zombies come from any way? Yes, still squeeing over new RR.

I was missing icons... vagley remembers data_warrior warning about this.

Have a RR to use again. As a side note ...he is doing Machete. Wow. *fangirls *

Moving, fic,film, girl crush and a whine.

2008-05-15T11:48:56Z

Still haven't found an apartment. Getting worried. SSS and I are trying to get into a co-op but they have to call you in to interview. Why aren't they calling. *bites nails*

Romancing Alaska is awesome fun. Read it. Do I need to say it's John/Rodney? Also, it's AU which is my favourite type of SG fic.

It does make me wonder where the SGA AU Northern Exposure remakes are? Seems to me the most awesome of sets to find our shows characters. Sure it would be a really long and complex fic to add everyone properly but what fun to read. Oh yeah wishes I could write for the millionth time.

Finally bought and watched Grindhouse. I saw it in the theatre of course but I kept waiting for the double DVD set because it's what I wanted ... I just got tired of waiting. I actually forgot how gruesome it is. Ick. I am madly fangirling Robert Rodriguez again however, he talks about the Texas BBQ cooking school he is putting in the extended DVD additions of Grindhouse. Where is it the double dvd set?

Also, Zoe Bell is still my girl crush. I totally just watch the second half of Death Proof.

I keep going for a CD or DVD and then remembering I packed everything and put it into storage. Grrrr.

Holidays!

2008-05-08T06:51:08Z

Whheeee! Two whole days off.

Spending it with Jack and Daniel... well packing too....maybe some laundry.

The Sign went up

2008-05-08T01:36:31Z

..on the lawn Monday. Today half the clan found a home. SSS and I have to go for an interview. Who knew you had to be interviewed for an apartment? Not me that's for sure. Very freaked out by this.

Tomato Spoon?

2008-05-06T03:24:35Z

Bought a $59 tomato spoon over the weekend... I don't even like tomatoes. I'll post a pic of it tomorrow.

Apparently antique stores are also off the list of safe places to go when I am trying to save money.

Most ignorant comment I have heard maybe ever.
"They can dwell on their genocide all that they want, feel the pain all that they want."
So. Much. Stupid.

Booking our flight for GateCon Saturday $960 including taxes and fees.

C was unable to attend work today either. Too sunny?

Woot!

2008-05-06T01:57:28Z

We got an extension! We now have another month to find a place.

Also C had surprise doctors appointment. Whatever.

So what did we learn after hours of pouring through posts on the OSBP.

2008-04-28T03:27:29Z

1) Some Men actually think what a women is wearing can indicated she is asking for it. No.Just really, no.
2) I actually saw a man say millions of years of evolution has made them into a creatures that can only think with his dick, and he means it. I don't remember where I saw it but, Wow way to be a human being..
3) Anyone can be thoughtless, regardless of gender.
4) The bigger something gets the more hurtful it becomes.

In non-boob related news.

Still no house in the wings for us.
If you put an ad in the paper advertising your house for rent, call people back when they leave a message.
Apartments are small.
If you see a two bedroom for $950 ...run.
Not being able to take the train/bus is a real hindrance.
All we did all weekend was stress over this.
I am not rested and ready to begin a new week.

Creepy.

2008-04-23T02:33:07Z

My grade school is having their 30th year reunion this weekend. It coincides with the schools 150th year celebrations. I may just go to the open house to see the school but I was never much for socializing so I'll hope to avoid people I used to know.

What is freaky is that I open the paper today and what do I see but a picture of my grade seven class! There was even an article talking about my graduating class and this is where it gets creepy.

I was not a social kid... no real to difference now really. ;) I generally only had one close friend at a time. My school day BFsF (only so not) were... one from grades 1-5, then I switched to a new girl in grades 6-9, then one for 10 then a new one for the remaining years. I just discovered, through the article, that my first BFF died in 2002. Now we had nothing to do with each other for 20 odd years but wow, no words.

.

'78 students reflect on their bond as elementary school turns 150
Apr 22, 2008 04:30 AM
Catherine Dunphy
Feature Writer

School ties don't always bind, particularly not the elementary ones.

Tell that to the class of '78 from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a compact red brick jewel nestled in a corner of Moore Park that will celebrate its 150th anniversary on the weekend.

Its roughly 35 members have spread around the world, to London, New York, Texas, even Afghanistan. One member, Joanne Kelly, has become a Paralympic basketball gold medallist. Another is well-known Toronto photography gallery owner Stephen Bulger.

"They were the most remarkable group," says Irene Echevierria, who taught them Grade 1 and Grade 6 and who now lives in Florida. "Very bright, just so bright. They stayed forever in my mind."

The class is reconvening this week at Bulger's gallery on Queen St. W. to mark the passage of 30 years.

Most of the former classmates will be there. The notable omission will be Kira, the quiet girl with the pale complexion and lovely hair. She committed suicide.

There are always casualties on the road to reunions.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help was originally built at 1414 Yonge St., next to the cemetery. Amateur historian Henry Miller, a parent of four children who attend or attended the school, pinpoints April 28, 1858, as the date St. Charles School, as it was called, was opened.

It moved to its present site on Garfield Ave. in 1923. Margaret Atwood immortalized it under an assumed name in Cat's Eye, the novel about the backbiting world of prepubescent girls. It also figures predominantly in Hugh Hood's novel, The Swing in the Garden.

It's always been a top academic school. Today, it's at full capacity with 301 students, having turned away 70 last fall. "Other schools focus on anti-violence programs," says principal Anthony Tacoma. "We have a manners program."

In Bulger's time, they learned how to properly address grown-ups (and to slip facial tissues in their sleeves) from Mrs. Ryan, the kindergarten teacher. Emily Hencz, 42, a member of the reunion planning committee, learned how to enunciate clearly from the ruler-wielding grammarian Brother Xavier. And they memorized poetry.

"I can still recite `In Flanders Fields' with all the commas," says Margaret Codrington, 43.

Codrington and Hencz are chatting with Bulger at his gallery on a Saturday afternoon. Bulger, 44, is hosting their class reunion here Friday night. He hosted the first one, in 1988, in his parents' backyard. They had been in their early 20s, poised to take on the world, aware enough to wrap the reunion of their Grade 8 class in heavy irony. Still, all but six showed up.

"It was like we hadn't missed a step," said Bulger. "Like being at our one-year reunion."

Except for Kira.

If they remembered her at all, it was because she and her best (and only) friend, Julie, liked the Bay City Rollers when no one else in the class did and saw Star Wars together perhaps hundreds of times.

They were amazed by the grown-up, divorced Kira. While they'd been at university, she'd moved to an eastern European country, perhaps Romania, and married.

Bulger was tending bar as he figured out what he wanted to do with his life and here was a classmate with three kids and a past.

"She was a stronger personality – more of a presence," Hencz recalls.

The group headed in different directions over the next decade and a half. Then Codrington saw Kira's death notice in a newspaper in 2002. Displayed at the visitation were wedding photos, Kira's certificate from a college course in administration, mementoes from her Métis heritage – "I was surprised about that," Codrington recalls – but no photos from her time at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Kira's husband told Codrington about finding Kira dead in their bed. Shocked and saddened, Codrington emailed the class of '78.

"It felt like our lives had turned all of a sudden," Bulger says. "I remember thinking 'Oh my God. Now we are dying.' "

He organized an impromptu potluck in the apartment where he and his wife were living over his first gallery.

"You turn to those you know to reconnect," he says. About 20 came, bearing old photos, memories and, for the first time, regrets.

They toasted Kira and talked long into the night. In their mid-30s they were building their lives as she ended hers.

"Kira's death really brought us together. We grew up at that point," recalls Hencz. "... Our get-togethers had always been light and fun and horsing around. We became a more mature group discovering the ties that really did bind us."

Those ties were formed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This week, the long road from there will also lead back.

Best memories of our childhood friendship.
Digging clay out of the stream bed and making pots and dishes, that of course fell apart.
Whipped cream in a can.
Skipping church.
Learning to ride a bike.
Artichokes.
That stupid rabbit.
Her parents were the coolest I knew. They smoked dope...I was easily impressed back then.

Happy hunting grounds Kira.

Weekend wrap

2008-04-21T01:32:41Z

I have had far too much beer and wine today. Good weather brings out sitting in the sun which leads to beer.

Sill trying to find somewhere to live. Looking at a house at Bathurst and Lawrence now. Getting down to the wire here. *is nervous*.

Pack. Pack. Pack. Need boxes.

We rented a storage locker. 10x10. $310 for six weeks.

Charing my bike, a sure sign the winter is over. If SSS and I move downtown I'll sell the electric bike and just use my old one.

Torchwood reactions

2008-04-20T05:24:35Z

I finally caught up with the end of Season Two.

Torchwood ep#10. - If a door you expect to be locked is in fact open, leave. Circus performers are creepy. Run.
Torchwood ep#11 - Listen to Jack. He general knows more then you do...no matter how righteous you think you are.
Torchwood ep#12 - It's always darkest before Jack arrives.
Torchwood ep#13 - Waaaaaaaaaaa. No seriously... WAAAAAAA!

General Season Two thoughts...
Jack + Ianto= Hot Damn! Martha. Gwen annoys the heck out of me but I still really like her. Usually. Mostly. The Gwen/Rys harlequin romance moments are getting stupid not to mention boring. I like Rys, it's great she has a husband and can go home to a normal life but enough already.