i guess i could hang out for a bit...

via xkcd

melting, melting, melting...

Assorted things:

- I am going to have a giant bald spot in the middle/front of my head. Whenever there are hairs longer than my bangs hanging out in front of my face, specifically touching my nose, I pull them out instead of moving them away. I keep doing this. If you notice a bald spot before I do, please do the kind thing and tell me. Or else buy me some headbands and I will get the message.

- I am getting used to wearing a watch! Today only. I was waiting for the library to open, and I kept pulling out my cell phone to check the time, when I realized that I could just turn my wrist ever so slightly and determine the same thing with less effort.

- I had a brilliant idea to even out my farmers tan: don't put sunscreen on the top part of my arm, only the bottom, so the top will tan and the arms will look uniform in pseudo-tan-ness! Flaw: I got a sunburn at the top of my shoulders, so now my shoulders are red, with a giant white strip, and the rest remains in all its farmer's tan glory.

That's it, I think. It's way too hot here. I thought it was supposed to be cooler in the mountains?

actually i'm quite fastidious

I've been drinking water like a fish lately. (Wait. I've heard that expression before, but now that I used it I'm not sure it's correct. Do fish actually drink water, or just live in it? Puzzle.) Usually I drink 1/25 the amount of water a normal person is supposed to drink, and when I drink like I am supposed to I can actually feel it hydrating my brain. I don't know why I am so stupid about drinking water. But I have been recently, and it seems like the more I drink, the thirstier I am. Is that because my body has finally gotten a taste of what it's like to be hydrated, and now it's demanding to be always thus? Or maybe I have some sort of fish-disease. Like that man in Big Fish, who gets so dried out that he has to sit in the tub with all his clothes on.

I am trying to print something, and also download some songs on itunes, and both of those require my stupid old computer. I thought that by accepting how long it was going to take ahead of time, I would be less angry with all the waiting and waiting, but it didn't work. Plus, randomly that itunes decided to reject my ipod, so I finally gave in and "transferred purchases" to the new computer with the new itunes. I've been worried to do that, because I didn't know exactly what would happen. But it's all okay! Except that it deleted all the songs I had copied from my cds, so I have to do that again.

Fascinating, right? But the reason I wanted itunes is because of this guy. It all stems back to when I watched Stranger Than Fiction, and Will Ferrell was playing that acoustic version of "Whole Wide World," and I LOVED it, but could only find the original version from Wreckless Eric. Which is also a good version, but I really liked the slow version. That was several years ago, and then a couple days ago I heard this lovely acoustic version of that song coming from the office, and I yelled to my brother, "WHO IS SINGING THAT WONDERFUL SONG?" and he sent me the link to that guy. So now I finally have an acoustic version of "Whole Wide World," and also some other great songs by him. He sounds a little bit like M. Ward, in my opinion, who is another great musician.

Anyway. Now I'm off to the eye doctor, because I think I need new glasses because I have the eyeballs of an old person.

with the words you've borrowed

I just used the word 'heretofore' in a sentence, and then looked up the definition, and discovered I used it correctly! I think everybody should try and use that word today. It's pretty amazing.

fly this blue ink across the page

I finally started my thirty days of creativity. I waited so long because I wanted to collect all the perfect ingredients for my first task, which took longer than expected. But now it's done! My first project, that is, and also my new blog. I started the other blog to force me into committing to the thirty days. I don't expect people to read it, really, unless you're into crafts or whatever, but I need some sort of accountability. I'm going to be doing actual crafts, as I mentioned, and also working on writing stuff again. It might be fun! So here you go:

All I've Got is Some Thread and This Pen.

happiness outside my window

My favourite things right now:

- my new haircut
- my black and white dress that is lovely
- blueberries
- being productive (in the way of phone calls and appointments, not planning math unfortunately)
- orange toenail polish
- the breeze that keeps the temperature in my comfort zone
- sunshine
- knowing that my semi-colon poster is in the mail on its way to me
- the lady at the eye doctor who made my pink glasses fit perfectly so now I can wear them again


p.s. I put my toe-ring back on. It was too weird to look down constantly and see a naked toe. I think I will try again in the winter, when my feet are encased in socks, so it will be an easier transition.

hollow bones and the varicose

This morning I was ruminating on the fact that my twenty-fifth birthday is approaching. I feel that I'm not being a very good grown-up, except for the fact that a job is forcing me to move away from home. At this present moment I don't have a real job, or my own car, or RRSPs. I also noticed, as I was ruminating, that I still wear a toe-ring. I've worn this toe-ring 24/7 since 2002, save for a period of time in 2005 when I had ankle surgery, and I haven't given it much thought. This morning, however, I began to wonder: at what age is it silly to wear a toe-ring? I've never really thought myself too old for certain styles or accessories (except for two braids - I'm not sure if I can still pull that off), but I don't see others my age wearing toe-rings.

So, consumed by the desire to grow up, I took off my toe-ring. Just took it off and shoved it in my pocket, as if it hadn't given me the best 8 years of its life. I was pleased to see that the skin upon which it rested was not green or mutated in any way, besides being indented ever so slightly, and the toe-ring was not tarnished. My toe looks strange to me now, naked and a little lumpy, but I'm sure I will acclimatize to it eventually.

Besides this monumental moment of growth, I'm disappointed in how much I've achieved in my life thus far. Hopefully moving to Vancouver Island and living on my own and having a real job will spur me on to finally grow up.

i know i felt like this before

Today I am discouraged.

I had a grand plan that now I think was a waste of time, and I'm overwhelmed by moving stuff, and I can't get my butt in gear to learn Math 9. I had an awful dream about my future class (I think there were actual piranha-children involved), and the realtor hasn't returned my call about apartments.

However, I got an email this morning that my semi-colon and apostrophe posters have been shipped, and now I'm going to sit in the sun and drink coffee. Maybe that will fix things.

Then You'd Know Why I Feel Blue

I am still awake. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever sleep normally, for a bunch of hours in a row, at the appointed time. Right now it feels like that will never happen.

Today the family went to see Buddy, the musical based off Buddy Holly's life. I didn't really know anything about him, apart from a song or two I recall, probably from a movie. I should have done my research, because (spoiler alert) he died when he was really young, after only being famous for a year or so. I found this out during the intermission, and because I'd just spent an hour and a half getting to know what kind of person he was, how kind and fun and passionate he was, I got really sad. Even though it happened fifty years ago, and I didn't really know anything about him until this afternoon, the whole production was done so well and I had really gotten attached to the character (who I imagined to be the real guy, since I get sucked in like that).

When the actor who played Buddy came back on stage after the intermission, it all seemed so melancholy. The cast and story were just as energetic as before, but now I knew what was going to happen and I knew they knew what was going to happen, and the real Buddy Holly had no idea what his fate would be. The second act was a concert with Buddy, Ritchie Valens, and The Bopper, with everyone on stage doing these grand musical numbers, culminating in a dark stage, empty and black except for a spotlight on Buddy's hands on his guitar. There was a voice-over radio broadcast of Red Robinson (that man has been in showbusiness forever) making the announcement about the plane crash, which killed Buddy, Valens, and The Bopper. Then everyone came back on stage and the concert continued, with Ritchie Valens and The Bopper coming onstange to sing with Buddy; I think they were trying to end it on a high note. But it felt morbid, like it was their ghosts singing a concert in heaven or something, and I almost started crying because they were so young and happy.

I hate it when sad stuff happens in real life, and then I unknowingly watch a play about it.

Sewing up the Fold

I've changed my mind; I don't think it's cheating to plan my 30 days of creativity before I commence. I don't think it's that kind of challenge. Plus, who cares? It's not like I'm entering an actual contest. Thusly, I have chosen my first creative project: magnets! This morning I was tearing pages out of magazines in anticipation for my magnets. It's all very exciting. I've also found a few sewing things, like a bag and a change purse, because I am optimistic about my ability to sew. (I might be disappointed.)

Also this morning I requested a million books from the library. I find that better than walking into the library and perusing the aisles, because I am terrible at choosing books on the fly. What I should have been doing instead was planning Math 9 and looking for apartments. Sometimes I question my decision-making skills.

All I Want for Christmas is Hose Pants (except right now, not in five months)

There's this radio commercial about some guy who is hot so he puts a hose in his pants and creates what he calls "Water Pants" or "Hydration System" or something, I can't remember what exactly. His wife is making fun of him for sticking a hose in his pants, but he's all, "Hey, it cools me down." (I googled it to try and give you more specific information, for example what it was a commercial for, but I can't find it. Probably because all I could give Google was 'radio commercial with hose pants.') Maybe it was for an iced capp from Tim Hortons or something. Maybe an air conditioning system.

Anyway. What I would really like right now is some hose water pants.

with its usual severity

Hey! Remember this? And remember when I said I'd buy it when I became a millionaire, and/or a real teacher? (Actually, I totally forgot I said I'd buy it when I became a real teacher. Which makes my news less exciting, since it's exactly what I said I would do.) Well, that website turned one year old so the guy had a 50% off sale! Which I took advantage of to also buy this. So now it costs the same as if I'd have just bought the first poster initially. But now I have two! And a classroom in which to put them.

So it's still hot out. I know I just talked about that yesterday, but I think I'm a pretty singularly-focused individual, as evidenced by a million posts about worry re: Campbell River, then a million posts re: getting the job in Campbell River, and now a million posts on how stinking hot it is. Sorry. But at least I gave you a heads up! I'm considerate like that.

Today I wore shoes to work, due to dress code regulations. However, as soon as I sat down I took my shoes off, and was working the whole time in bare feet, and guess who noticed? Nobody. Because nobody looks at my feet when I'm working.

Then I went to the mall and bought earrings I didn't need while searching for earrings I did need (which I also bought), and then a necklace and then two posters on the internet. I think someone needs to take my credit card away.

Like a Spell From the Devil

I broke out the shorts today, guys. And you know it has to be a heat wave for me to bust these things out of the closet, thanks to my unfortunate knees. (Although a kind friend once told me that nobody has nice knees. I couldn't really comment on that, since I don't especially notice the knees of others; perhaps that means nobody notices mine?? One can dream.) A memo came out at work today mentioning no visible undergarments (I guess I have to take my see-through blouse/neon bra combo out of circulation) and NO FLIP FLOPS. Which, I guess, is apt for a workplace, but come on. I'm sitting down the entire time. Nobody is looking at my feet. It's too stinking hot to shove my feet into shoes.

I think Vancouverites have a bad rap for being all "wah it's too cold" when it drops below 20 and "wah it's too hot" when it gets above 24, but I can assuredly say that never have I ever complained about how cold it is. I revel in the cold. Thusly I feel entitled to complain about this stupid heat. I'M WEARING SHORTS.

My brother offered to grill me a steak tonight, and I turned him down in favour of toast and a smoothie, because it's too hot to eat anything that's been on a grill. I concocted this recipe, and I can't tell if it's good or disgusting and I'm just so desperate for something cool that I will drink anything.

(Sidenote: I just got super deja vu from typing that last paragraph. Strange.)

Here it is for you to try:

2 cups of water (I estimated)
1/2 cup of milk (I did a big splash)
handful of frozen strawberries (or other kind of berry)
splash of lime margarita mix
2 tbsp or so of sugar (I just dumped some in)

And blend. I know the water/milk thing seems gross, right? Someone may tell me that all I've done is add milk to a virgin margarita, and I wouldn't argue with that person. I just thought I was being clever adding margarita mix to a strawberry smoothie.

Haunted by the Ghost of Satisfaction

I wish I was more creative. I am insanely, ridiculously, frog-green with envy over people who can draw or paint, and I believe I would give up any one of my few talents if it meant I could draw or paint. I started reading a blog by this lady who paints really neat stuff, and basically I wish I could assume her identity. I know there's that whole thing about loving yourself and your own talents, and everybody's good at something, and blah blah blah, but presently I am displeased with my skills and covet more interesting ones. Once upon a time I used to write stories, but somewhere back in the mists of time I feel that's been zapped away from me, and I'm hesitant to try again. However, on that lady's blog she talked about a 30 days of creativity challenge, and I'm going to give it a shot. Now all I need to do is legitimately do this thing in 30 days, not save up ideas for two months and then do it. I think that's cheating.

Tired Out My Knees Down to the Bone

I just returned home from another trek to Campbell River, my soon-to-be-home. I was finally able to meet with the teacher I'm filling in for and get his materials, which prompted a middle of the night freak out: what am I doing? Who in their right mind hired me for this job? Why did they think I could plan these courses I've never taught before? How am I going to teach Math 9 when I don't even know how to use a graphing calculator? What am I going to do with myself in a town that only has 2 Starbuckses? (Although, on that last point, I don't even really like Starbucks anymore, and have made the transition back to Tim Hortons - of which there is one. Also, in theory I will be so busy staying ahead of the kids in Math that I won't have time to leave my apartment. Plus it's not like you'll find me club-hopping on a typical Friday night.)

Mom and I stayed with a family friend and her daughter, and I spent much of the weekend playing "I Spy" and making fairy clothing out of leaves. While that is fun in moderation (who doesn't love a good game of "I Spy"), I am super exhausted. I was literally in bed last night at 8:00pm. And right now I'm about to have a forbidden afternoon cup of coffee to keep me awake during the movie my family is going to for my mom's birthday. (Knight and Day, finally something not in 3D. I've heard it's terrible, and I'm not really fond of Tom Crazy McCrazerson Cruise, but I'm kind of looking forward to it! Naturally I will share my thoughts with you afterwards.)

Now I'm looking for apartments and my eye infection came back. I was so diligent about not wearing make-up and using those stupid drops, and my eyes were perfectly normal for a day, but this morning they were sealed shut again. Boo. But I'm going to sneak candy into the theatre! (Not that that's related in any way, or that they even bother to check anymore. I remember the old days, when they'd check your purse for contraband. Now, even if I'm wearing a giant bag with candy sticking out, they don't seem to care. It kind of takes the excitement out of it.)

While the Moon Drifts in the Skies

I put my curtains down a few nights ago because the moon was blinding me, but now I miss it. From the sliver of outside I can see through the remaining uncovered window, it's still pitch black outside, but the birds have come out which makes me feel like daytime is almost here. I also find that when I stay up too late, I get SUPER HUNGRY. It's as if there's a midnight meal time that we all just miss because we're asleep. I think it would be neat to get out of bed and eat a sandwich around the kitchen table at 3:00 in the morning, everyone blinking sleep out of their eyes and talking about what dreams they've awoken from.

Probably to people who sleep soundly that sounds like the worst idea ever. But I haven't fallen asleep yet, and I could use some company. I finished a whole book already, and tried to put comments back on my blog (I can't figure out if they work or not), and played a million games of Solitaire, and looked for places to live in Campbell River. Now all I need is a snack. Or maybe some sleep.