09 March 2009
One of those days...
Ever have one of those days where all you want to do is sleep? Working the night audit does that to me. I have no quams about working overnight, but when you're in school it can take a lot out of you. Granted I had ALL DAY Sunday to recover if you count I didn't get off work til 7am Sunday morning. But when you have to go to early morning classes on Monday, it doesn't do the trick. I had to stop myself from falling asleep in Blackmore's class this morning. grr to night audit
06 March 2009
My Top 10: Spring
I'm so excited that spring is just around the corner! The snow has all but melted in southwestern Ontario and the temps are teasing me: 15C = 57F! So here are my top ten things I love about Spring!
1. SUN!
Yes, sun. No wonder the docs said I have a vitamin D deficiency! Yeah, no sun can do that to you. It's a little annoying to feel cold all the time and see nothing but clouds snow, freezing rain, and gloom from November to March. Today is a great day to head outside and catch some fleeting rays of golden goodness!
2. GREEN!
I know it's hard to believe, but under all that melting black snowy muck and decaying leaves there's green little plants planning their escape!
3. EASTER!
It's coming. I know it's not til April, but I love this holiday. It means no more winter and I love hard boiled eggs and all the Easter tradition!
4. SUGAR BUSHING
This may be a foreign concept to people not from Canada or the American Northeast, but it's truly one of the best things about Spring! Sugarbushing is the harvesting of fresh Canadian maple syrup, usually followed by a pancake breakfast. Trust me, if you've never tasted the pure stuff, you're missing out. I'll never go back to that corn syrup junk!
5. END OF CLASSES
Every student can agree with me when they look at the calendar around the beginning of April. Classes are winding up and exams are on the horizon, but that doesn't matter, because summer is almost here.
6. GETTING MORE ACTIVE
Even though I haven't gained any weight this winter, doesn't mean that I can't stand to lose a few pounds, and Spring is the perfect time to do it! There's more sun, more warmth, and just overall outsidey goodness.
7. ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Do you have a little Irish in you? I've got about 25%, but the rest is Pollack. But if you're not, who cares? Celebrate the day by throwing back a few green beers or Guinness at your local Irish pub (or Molly's if you're in London)!
8. SPRING CLEANING
This sounds a little crazy, I know, but think about it. Cleaning out and getting rid of all that clutter you've been storing up all winter long will clear your head, make you feel uber productive, reduce anxiety, and give you a nice clean space! If you don't have any clutter to clean out of your room, translate it to your life and that deadbeat boyfriend or girlfriend you've been keeping around for the hell of it.
9. SPRING STORMS
These are the best Spring occurrences if you enjoy the natural theatrics of mother nature unless you live in a basement apartment that likes to collect water in the occasional spot. What's not to love about the beauty of a flash of lightning or thunder that wakes you up three hours before your alarm goes off? And who can forget the dramatic suspense that tornado watches produce! Ahh, spring!
AND MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT SPRING...........
10. GETTING TWITTERPATED!
What? I know you're thinking I've fallen off the deepend and am just making up words, but think back to your childhood and watching Bambi. Thumper says that falling in love is becoming twitterpated and almost all animals shack up during the spring, so why can't we? If you're already attached, do something to let your partner know you appreciate them. Go on a trip, go out to dinner, or just hang around your couch together. Spring means that love is in the air! Awww, makes me think of Piotr. <3>
1. SUN!
Yes, sun. No wonder the docs said I have a vitamin D deficiency! Yeah, no sun can do that to you. It's a little annoying to feel cold all the time and see nothing but clouds snow, freezing rain, and gloom from November to March. Today is a great day to head outside and catch some fleeting rays of golden goodness!
2. GREEN!
I know it's hard to believe, but under all that melting black snowy muck and decaying leaves there's green little plants planning their escape!
3. EASTER!
It's coming. I know it's not til April, but I love this holiday. It means no more winter and I love hard boiled eggs and all the Easter tradition!
4. SUGAR BUSHING
This may be a foreign concept to people not from Canada or the American Northeast, but it's truly one of the best things about Spring! Sugarbushing is the harvesting of fresh Canadian maple syrup, usually followed by a pancake breakfast. Trust me, if you've never tasted the pure stuff, you're missing out. I'll never go back to that corn syrup junk!
5. END OF CLASSES
Every student can agree with me when they look at the calendar around the beginning of April. Classes are winding up and exams are on the horizon, but that doesn't matter, because summer is almost here.
6. GETTING MORE ACTIVE
Even though I haven't gained any weight this winter, doesn't mean that I can't stand to lose a few pounds, and Spring is the perfect time to do it! There's more sun, more warmth, and just overall outsidey goodness.
7. ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Do you have a little Irish in you? I've got about 25%, but the rest is Pollack. But if you're not, who cares? Celebrate the day by throwing back a few green beers or Guinness at your local Irish pub (or Molly's if you're in London)!
8. SPRING CLEANING
This sounds a little crazy, I know, but think about it. Cleaning out and getting rid of all that clutter you've been storing up all winter long will clear your head, make you feel uber productive, reduce anxiety, and give you a nice clean space! If you don't have any clutter to clean out of your room, translate it to your life and that deadbeat boyfriend or girlfriend you've been keeping around for the hell of it.
9. SPRING STORMS
These are the best Spring occurrences if you enjoy the natural theatrics of mother nature unless you live in a basement apartment that likes to collect water in the occasional spot. What's not to love about the beauty of a flash of lightning or thunder that wakes you up three hours before your alarm goes off? And who can forget the dramatic suspense that tornado watches produce! Ahh, spring!
AND MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT SPRING...........
10. GETTING TWITTERPATED!
What? I know you're thinking I've fallen off the deepend and am just making up words, but think back to your childhood and watching Bambi. Thumper says that falling in love is becoming twitterpated and almost all animals shack up during the spring, so why can't we? If you're already attached, do something to let your partner know you appreciate them. Go on a trip, go out to dinner, or just hang around your couch together. Spring means that love is in the air! Awww, makes me think of Piotr. <3>
04 March 2009
7 times Two = 1 month
Today is significant it two ways:
1. Today marks the 7th month that Piotr and I have been together.
I always say, "Where has the time gone?" I actually mean it, and wonder how fast our time together will go once we move into together. Will it progress slowly or continue at its current pace? Will we take each other for granted or be able to get along as well as we do now. These are all issues that I've been trying to reconcile in my head, but it makes me nervous. That's why I'm trying to keep the most positive outlook possible.
2. Today also marks the five week marker when I will move to St. Catharines.
We have an apartment all set up, so I'm starting to relax a little bit. We officially get the apartment near Penn Center in St. Kitts on April 1st, even though I don't finish school til the 9th. I only have one final exam in American Studies (cliche I know), so it will be okay. The other thing I have to worry about is finding a job. I've been applying to some hotels in the area and I actually have an interview at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Niagara Falls next Tuesday for a reservations agent. The two and a half years I've worked as a front desk clerk comes in handy in Niagara. Wish me luck!
1. Today marks the 7th month that Piotr and I have been together.
I always say, "Where has the time gone?" I actually mean it, and wonder how fast our time together will go once we move into together. Will it progress slowly or continue at its current pace? Will we take each other for granted or be able to get along as well as we do now. These are all issues that I've been trying to reconcile in my head, but it makes me nervous. That's why I'm trying to keep the most positive outlook possible.
2. Today also marks the five week marker when I will move to St. Catharines.
We have an apartment all set up, so I'm starting to relax a little bit. We officially get the apartment near Penn Center in St. Kitts on April 1st, even though I don't finish school til the 9th. I only have one final exam in American Studies (cliche I know), so it will be okay. The other thing I have to worry about is finding a job. I've been applying to some hotels in the area and I actually have an interview at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Niagara Falls next Tuesday for a reservations agent. The two and a half years I've worked as a front desk clerk comes in handy in Niagara. Wish me luck!
03 March 2009
Vlog on Cheese
I'm trying my hand at my first Vlog....and it is on the most important discussion of CHEESE!!! mmm The volume on my webcam isn't super, so I apologize in advance. I also did not realize how horrible I looked on camera today. *sigh* oh well.
Happy Square Root Day!
Today is Square Root Day! It happens only 9 times every century.
So it works like this: It happens when the day and the month are both the square root of the last two digits of the year.
Since today is 03/03/09, three is the square root of 9, and works. The next Square Root Day will be April 4, 2016.
Although this is a ficticious holiday, some people are actually taking it seriously! A math teacher in California is actually going to give $339 USD to the person who puts on the best Square Root Day celebration. I'm assuming he's going to be the judge.
An article about the prize can be found here
So it works like this: It happens when the day and the month are both the square root of the last two digits of the year.
Since today is 03/03/09, three is the square root of 9, and works. The next Square Root Day will be April 4, 2016.
Although this is a ficticious holiday, some people are actually taking it seriously! A math teacher in California is actually going to give $339 USD to the person who puts on the best Square Root Day celebration. I'm assuming he's going to be the judge.
An article about the prize can be found here
02 March 2009
Expose on the Neighborhood Market
I've never been a fan of the chain grocery stores that house meat and veggies that can come from countries in the opposite hemisphere. Imagine my surprise to discover a hidden gem in my own Old North section of London, Ontario. This discovery was made last year near the end of first semester. Driving down Cheapside situated on the corner connected to Maitland road sits Sullivan's Old North Market. My interest was peaked, so I stepped inside and discovered my favorite store in London. They are on the pricey side, but what you get for your money is quality.
There is a small section of fresh veggies, but that's not the reason to visit this particular market. It's a very small store, but they have a variety of top notch, fine cheeses, maple syrups, tomato sauces, etc. Chef Les also operates out the this market and he makes delicous entrees that are available to be made fresh, pick up, or you can look in the freezer and take home one of his handmade frozen dishes. You can even ask Chef Les to make pies for you on order. MMMMM! In my opinion, the best part of this market is the butcher. I can't quite recall his first name, but he is super sweet, friendly, and a bit of a looker. He cuts all his meat fresh, and it is all from local sources. He's told me he actually goes out to visit his suppliers to make sure they 'meat' his standards. That is dedication to me.
Please go and check this market out if you live in the North London area. You won't be disappointed.
Sullivan's Old North Market
462 Cheapside St.
London, ON
(519) 433-3161
There is a small section of fresh veggies, but that's not the reason to visit this particular market. It's a very small store, but they have a variety of top notch, fine cheeses, maple syrups, tomato sauces, etc. Chef Les also operates out the this market and he makes delicous entrees that are available to be made fresh, pick up, or you can look in the freezer and take home one of his handmade frozen dishes. You can even ask Chef Les to make pies for you on order. MMMMM! In my opinion, the best part of this market is the butcher. I can't quite recall his first name, but he is super sweet, friendly, and a bit of a looker. He cuts all his meat fresh, and it is all from local sources. He's told me he actually goes out to visit his suppliers to make sure they 'meat' his standards. That is dedication to me.
Please go and check this market out if you live in the North London area. You won't be disappointed.
Sullivan's Old North Market
462 Cheapside St.
London, ON
(519) 433-3161
01 March 2009
Response to "An Anthropological Intro to You Tube"
I recently watched "An Anthropological Intro to You Tube" by Michael Wesch on YouTube.com in my blogging class and I can't tell you how much it hit home for me.
Wesch discusses the phenomena of Youtube and user uploaded video versus the broadcasting of major television networks. The sheer amount of video is shocking. Over 200,000 videos are uploaded to Youtube each day and is mostly represented by three minute movies. Wesch says that most of these videos are only meant to have viewership of 100 people or less. Youtube opens up new forms of expression that are unprescendented in our time. A cultural blurp in Moldova can spread throughout the globe and make a kid in New Jersey famous or broadcast the fictional or real drama of a teenage girl (aka lonelygirl15) into a soap opera made for the unquenchable thirst of the internet consumer.
User-generated content has the ability to reach millions of people within a short time period and can generate exponential amounts of new media. These videos link space and time of the world audience. This community of new media generators are what Wesch calls "networked individualism." As we get cut off from a community based on location, the community based on peer-to-peer community based on internet connectivity is possible through mediums such as YouTube. This is a great tool for people who are deathly shy or afraid of normal social interaction. Sitting behind a camera can make these individuals less afraid of saying things they wouldn't normally say in public. It gives the individual a way of expressing themselves without constraints, and yet there are still the cultural constraints against certain forms of self-expression. Deep connection may be possible on YouTube, but I still think that it is somewhat superficial, that it is not real. In reality, Youtube is not really reality, but a distraction from your location to venture out into the unknown world. Youtube is a great way to reconnect oneself to a community and humanity, but you still have to be careful not to lose sight of your actual physical being and where you really are.
Wesch discusses the phenomena of Youtube and user uploaded video versus the broadcasting of major television networks. The sheer amount of video is shocking. Over 200,000 videos are uploaded to Youtube each day and is mostly represented by three minute movies. Wesch says that most of these videos are only meant to have viewership of 100 people or less. Youtube opens up new forms of expression that are unprescendented in our time. A cultural blurp in Moldova can spread throughout the globe and make a kid in New Jersey famous or broadcast the fictional or real drama of a teenage girl (aka lonelygirl15) into a soap opera made for the unquenchable thirst of the internet consumer.
User-generated content has the ability to reach millions of people within a short time period and can generate exponential amounts of new media. These videos link space and time of the world audience. This community of new media generators are what Wesch calls "networked individualism." As we get cut off from a community based on location, the community based on peer-to-peer community based on internet connectivity is possible through mediums such as YouTube. This is a great tool for people who are deathly shy or afraid of normal social interaction. Sitting behind a camera can make these individuals less afraid of saying things they wouldn't normally say in public. It gives the individual a way of expressing themselves without constraints, and yet there are still the cultural constraints against certain forms of self-expression. Deep connection may be possible on YouTube, but I still think that it is somewhat superficial, that it is not real. In reality, Youtube is not really reality, but a distraction from your location to venture out into the unknown world. Youtube is a great way to reconnect oneself to a community and humanity, but you still have to be careful not to lose sight of your actual physical being and where you really are.
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