heima

Funny Stuff

2012-01-26T23:00:00.000-08:00

There Is Awesome On My Blog

2012-01-25T15:44:00.000-08:00

It's Not Really For Moles

2012-01-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

Winter Love

2012-01-23T23:00:00.000-08:00

(I don't know who owns the ©)

(© demilliac)

Nuts II

2012-01-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

Way back in January 2008 I posted my Fighting Squirrel smoothie recipe. I've since gone Paleo (mostly) and try to stay gluten-free. I've updated my recipe and instead of making it for breakfast, it's going to be my new pre-workout meal.

Fighting Squirrel II

1/2 cup of oatmeal, cooked and cooled
3/4 cup of milk
1 banana 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder
1 huge tablespoon of macadamia nut butter
1 tsp cocoa or chocolate sauce
1/2 cup of strong coffee
splash of water if necessary
Blend it all together for about a minute and drink up :) good times.

Wreck This Journal

2012-01-21T22:16:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be wrecking my journal soon. In the meantime I thought I'd share this little bit of inspiration.

Chill

2012-01-20T14:38:00.001-08:00

Gym tonight. Upper body workout with no cardio (shins are sore from running). I have the next 3 days off so I will be spending 2 of them reading, knitting, and writing. Monday I apply for health care so I hope all goes well. It's been a long 14 months of trying to get this done.

On my new wellness blog, JRNL, I posted:

Fox & Raven

2012-01-19T15:45:00.001-08:00

Want to look at pretty pictures? Then please visit my tumblr blog, Fox & Raven.

JRNL

2012-01-18T12:39:00.006-08:00

I've decided to write about stuff related to health, wellness, and personal style over at my new tumblr blog JRNL. I'm doing this because I don't want this blog to become to random and erratic. I'd rather use this blog for creativity and general interests. So if you're interested or just bored, feel free to read all about what I'm eating and how I'm exercising. As always, the goals/rewards are Kilimanjaro and Antarctica. Go team!

Fight! Know Your Rights

2012-01-18T11:08:00.002-08:00

Please watch this video re: PIPA and SOPA.

All In The Golden Afternoon

2012-01-17T15:02:00.004-08:00

(I don't know who owns the ©)

I received my Alberta driver's license this morning. My last step will be to apply for health care on Monday. So far, so good.

It's still really cold up here in northern Alberta. I woke up to a low of -46C this morning. It's hard to get motivated to crawl out of bed when it's dark and unreasonably cold. It's been a bit of a nothing day. I won't be going to the gym because I have no desire to be out in the cold especially with a windchill warning in effect.

I'll see how the rest of the week goes. I'm still tired because of not getting any quality sleep. Since I don't have anything interesting to say, I will instead recommend this website to anyone who loves dogs. I would recommend the artist's site but it's done in flash and will drive you nuts trying to navigate it.

Routine Maintenance

2012-01-16T14:41:00.001-08:00

(I don't know who owns the ©)

-40 deg Celsius with the windchill today. Damn, it's cold. Tonight I'm staying put in my camp room and continuing on with my minimalist reboot. I have a three day weekend coming up so I hope to have everything sorted, stored, or given away by Monday.

I am always motivated by a desire to travel but so far it just hasn't worked in my favour which means I haven't made the right choices to make travel possible. I like to think that my minimalist reboot is a choice in favour of both travelling and settling down. In regards to settling down, all I want is a studio apartment. I found a few today while searching online so I hope I have the same success this summer.

My throat has been sore since January 1 so Monday I'm going to see a doctor because I either have tonsillitis or strep throat. It's affecting my sleep because I find it hard to breathe at night so I'm on the hunt for some penicillin. It also affects my ability to run on the treadmill because I have to keep clearing my throat.

Oh! I completed my new camp eating plan. It is low-maintenance, includes fruit and vegetables, and it won't cost me a lot of money. I'll be starting it next week and if all goes well, I'll post up on Google Docs.

Whatever

2012-01-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

I've noticed over the past few years how much customer service (in any industry) has deteriorated. It's now gotten me to the point where I run a checklist through my mind to decide if going somewhere, or buying something, is necessary. I do this so I can avoid all the hassle and apathy that comes with trying to get anything done, pretty much anywhere.

I ask myself questions like, "does it have to be done tonight?", "can it wait another day or does it have to be done now", "can I make it myself?", "is it even worth it?". I just don't have the desire or the motivation to go shopping unless I really have to. I'd rather shop online then ever walk into any store ever again. I even wish for a magical fuel elf to put gas in my truck so I don't have to visit the gas station.

I went to a restaurant the other night because my appointment got pushed back an hour. At one point I waited 25 minutes for my waitress to come to my table. I eventually has to ask the busboy to tell her to come over. It wasn't her fault though. She was a very good waitress but for some reason was the only one working, on a Friday night. She only had the busboy and the hostess to help her.

It became the straw that broke the camel's back. I decided that I'm going to avoid shopping and going out unless absolutely necessary. Why bother rewarding bad customer service? This means I'm going to avoid restaurants altogether; only get fuel at gas stations; and try to shop almost exclusively at second-hand shops or small businesses when necessary. I can get most stuff online if I need it.

Should be an interesting experience.

The Joy of Books

2012-01-14T15:54:00.003-08:00

This is amazing. I'm in love with it.

Keeper of Stuff

2012-01-14T09:04:00.002-08:00

My biggest goal for 2012 is returning to my minimalist roots. I haven't talked about it much but the plan has been put into motion. This is a year-long project because I have stuff scattered over three provinces. As of right now I still have the same amount of stuff I had January 1. That's ok. What I have done is started organizing the stuff I have with me at camp between the usual suspects; keep, toss, give away. My goal for camp is to only take two small suitcases worth of stuff per turnaround (which is about 6 weeks, the amount of time I can stand being in camp without going crazy).

My goal for my stuff in Saskatchewan is to organize all my paper and shred at least 95% of it. Saskatchewan is also home to my Star Wars collection, not to mention a lot of books that I feel can be donated. I also stand by my earlier declaration that I'll be getting rid of most of my Star Wars collection as well. I packed it up in 2005 after I came home from Star Wars Celebration III and it's never been taken out of the box. That's a sign that I don't really want most of it because I've never bothered to do anything with it.

Finally, my goal for my stuff in British Columbia is to organize all my books and decide how many should be donated. Most of the books I keep in BC are my favourite books so I can't see myself culling too many for the donation pile. Still, if I think about it, I estimate I will donate about 30%.

Tonight I'm going to take some empty printer boxes back to my room and pretty much finish organizing my camp room. I know this must all sound so horribly boring. It is boring, but necessary. I'm going to be 36 years-old in 1.5 months. I have better things to do than go into the future being a keeper of stuff.

Also, today is 11 months smoke free. Huzzah!

Do or Do Not...

2012-01-13T12:37:00.001-08:00

Things I'm attempting to do but failing:

Knit my dad's sweater. I only get a few hours a week to work on it. I had hoped to get it finished for his birthday which is March 1. I still have hope because it's doable. The pattern is fairly straightforward and I've been knitting long enough not to freak out and quit when I get confused by some ambiguous instructions.
Knit my wurm hat. Thankfully my sister knit me a beautiful owl hat for Yule which I've been wearing all day today.
Read Mac OS X Lion: The Missing Manual. Amazon.ca took their sweet time shipping it to my mum who then had to ship it to me up at camp. I always look forward to the OS X Missing Manual books and have been anxious to dig in.
Work on my JavaScript skills. I left my JavaScript book at my parents place and forgot to have it shipped up. I'll have to remember to take it with me the next time I go visit.
Create a camp-friendly meal plan. I gave myself two weeks to figure out an eating plan that is workout-friendly, mostly gluten-free, and that will also help stave off the scurvy. I have 1.5 days left to complete it.
Make a delicious London Fog. I think I'll remedy that right now.

RPG Your Life - Skills

2012-01-12T12:01:00.002-08:00

Some of you may know that 1) I have a slight addiction to creativity books, and 2) that I'm currently working through The Nerdist Way. One of the exercises in the books asks the reader to list their weapons then assign a number based on skill with those weapons.

I decided instead to use skills from Dungeons & Dragons and see if I can modify them to work in a practical, real-world way. A few of the skills are physical (climb, swim etc.) but I think can be used metaphorically and literally. Each skill is aligned with either strength, intelligence, dexterity,constitution, wisdom, and charisma.

It's a work in progress but I want to share it so I can receive help and feedback. I've played Warhammer but have not played D&D so it's a learning process. Let me know what you think.

Untrained Skills

Appraise - INT - learn / evaluate
Balance - DEX - steadfastness
Bluff - CHA - charm
Climb - STR - perseverance
Concentration - CON - focus
Craft (name craft) - INT -
Diplomacy - CHA - people skills
Disguise - CHA - make-up / dress / deportment
Escape Artist - DEX - do-overs / reboots / starting over
Forgery - INT -
Gather Information - CHA - asking questions / using resources / engaging others
Heal - WIS - well-being (physical / spiritual / emotional / mental)
Hide - DEX - blend in / sociability / identify with community or subculture
Intimidate - CHA - influence
Jump - STR - managing and taking risks
Listen - WIS - listening skills
Move Silently - DEX - low-key / do one's own thing
Perform (name skill) - CHA - confidence / ability
Ride - DEX -
Search - INT - seek and find what is required such as information
Sense Motive - WIS - watch / read between the lies and lines
Spot - WIS - focus and find
Swim - STR -
Use Rope - DEX -
Wilderness Lore - WIS - connection to self and Nature

Trained Skills

Alchemy - INT - creativity
Animal Empathy - CHA - ability to relate with animals
Autohypnosis - WIS - self-control / sticktoitiveness / willpower / discipline
Decipher Script - INT - higher learning / education
Disable Device - INT - aptitude for using and understanding tecnology
Handle Animal - CHA -
Innuendo - WIS -
Intuit Direction - WIS -self-reflection / self-evaluation
Knowledge (name subject) - INT -
Open Locks - DEX -move beyond barriers / problem solving
Pick Pocket - DEX - take advantage of opportunities
Profession (name profession) - WIS -
Psicraft - INT -
Read Lips - INT -
Remote View - INT -future planning and outcome prediction
Scry - INT -
Spellcraft - INT -
Stabilize Self - WIS -
Tumble - DEX - yoga (heh)
Use Magic Device - CHA -
Use Psionic Device - CHA -

Winter Sky

2012-01-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

(I don't know who owns the ©)

Long story short; to avoid falling yesterday, I twisted when I lost my balance walking on the ice and pulled a few muscles in my back. My back is stiff and I'm a bit uncomfortable so I think the gym is a wash tonight. No need to drive 50 km into town when I can't really do much.

I'm broke anyways. I have $140 to my name until payday. I took a week off for Yule and we also had a pay issue at work resulting in 2 days missing from our last pay. Combine that with the truck inspection and bills being paid and the result is me being frugal. All of this means tonight is a good night for a long, hot shower, followed by a few hours of reading, and a good night's sleep.

I want to share something from Pencil Dancing regarding hurry sickness. It's all fairly standard information but what's interesting is Pencil Dancing was published in 2001. Fast forward a decade and hurry sickness has become an epidemic.

From Diane Ulmer and Mari Messer, 4 symptoms of hurry sickness:

Deterioration of the personality. Interests become narrow. There's a preoccupation with getting things done. Life begins to be measured in terms of quantity, not quality, causing thoughts to become dry and uninteresting.
Racing mind. Anxious thoughts and loss of ability to focus create stress, interfere with creativity and disrupt sleep.
Inability to recollect pleasant memories. The mind is riveted on the future or stews about the past. The only things that can drag the person back into the present are crises and problems. Life is lived on the surface and not deeply entered into.
Inability to experience inner contentment. In a headlong rush to get things done, the person has literally given up on savouring life's satisfying experiences. Chronic rushing, "time urgency" or hurry sickness, has a negative impact on creativity, spiritual experience, and quality of life.

I also like some of these comments re: slowing down the pace of life:

"allowing enough room for comfort and grace is a fitting metaphor for balancing natural and mechanical time."

"one of the best antidotes to the hurried life is regular contact with Nature."

"slow down so your creativity can catch up with you."

"relaxation dissolves mechanical time. It slows your pace."

"cell phones have invaded private time that was once used for creative mulling. Computers have accelerated thinking and communication. We feel out of step if we don't try to keep up with the machine."

Lesson Learned

2012-01-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

(@Roots)

A minor victory today as I was able to register my truck in Alberta. Last item on my list is to apply for Alberta Health Care. I also have to cancel my truck insurance with ICBC. The total cost for me was over $1100 once I had paid for all the different services, inspections, and fees. It's such a scam and just amazing how much money they can justify taking from you.

I didn't really want to leave BC again. I'm not too disappointed because I really like Alberta and I do enjoy living here. That's good, because I have no plans to move (out-of-province, I mean) for a very long time. I'm good and settled now. I'm tired of moving between provinces and really tired of spending money but I still plan on going home to see my family whenever I can.

It's nice to be back though. My next goal is to move to Canmore and get my own place. You know what's cool about that? I can finally own some bookcases and get all my stuff unpacked. Six years is a long time to not have unpacked.

The Darkling Thrush

2012-01-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

I leant upon a coppice gate
When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter's dregs made desolate
The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky
Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
Had sought their household fires.

The land's sharp features seemed to be
The Century's corpse outleant,
His crypt the cloudy canopy,
The wind his death-lament.
The ancient pulse of germ and birth
Was shrunken hard and dry,
And every spirit upon earth
Seemed fervourless as I.

At once a voice arose among
The bleak twigs overhead
In a full-hearted evensong
Of joy illimited;
An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small,
In blast-beruffled plume,
Had chosen thus to fling his soul
Upon the growing gloom.

So little cause for carolings
Of such ecstatic sound
Was written on terrestrial things
Afar or nigh around,
That I could think there trembled through
His happy good-night air
Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew
And I was unaware.

-- Thomas Hardy

High of 3 degrees and sunny

2012-01-08T20:24:00.001-08:00

The Internet connection here in camp is being its usual ass slow. This means I really have nothing I can offer tonight except these few strings of text. On the bright side, my cold seems to be gone. I managed to get a lot of writing done this weekend. I'm proud of myself for that.

It was a good weekend off despite being sick.

Just As Sweet

2012-01-07T22:46:00.001-08:00

Today I offer another list of which and what make me happy.

HPPodcraft.com - I love this podcast. It's free and my one of my favourite ways to experience Lovecraft. I spend 10 hours a day at work so my personal reading time is limited. I can listen this podcast and get an awesome combination of interesting conversation and fantastic story readings while I work. Perfect.
Wreck This Box - Perhaps you've heard of Wreck This Journal? I'm smitten with Keri Smith's books and have recently acquired the box set of Wreck This Journal, Mess, and This is Not a Book. If you're not sure what to make of it, may I suggest this video?
Dark & Stormy Nights - the best way to end the day- curled up with my knitting or a good book while a snowstorm or thunder/lightning storm rages outside. I bet you thought, dear reader, that I was going to discuss the Dark 'n' Stormy but I already have, in detail.
Fog - I love the fog perhaps because growing up on Vancouver Island meant spending many days with my world shrouded in fog. I enjoy the creepy stillness and quiet of foggy days and nights.
London Fog - One of my favourite things to drink and I guess an acquired taste. I make my own dirty camp version. I use real sugar and vanilla since I don't really like the taste of vanilla syrups.
Amazon Kindle - I hate the Kindle for reading non-fiction but it's seriously the best way to read fiction. When I do read fiction, I often gravitate towards big, weighty tomes that are awkward as hell to read and often with tiny text. My reading experience has improved 100% since choosing to read a lot of these books in digital format.
Diane Ackerman - her books just make me calm and thoughtful. I love the way she writes even if that means with an abundance of words and metaphors.
News from Lake Wobegon - Probably not something people would think I like, but I totally do.
Skin's Shangri-La from LUSH - The perfect moisturizer and the perfect weapon for protecting my skin against the dry, cold air of northern Alberta.
Arkham Horror - I received this as a gift for Yule. I haven't played it yet but was absolutely delighted by what I was able to look at and read through. I hope to play it this spring. I couldn't take it on the plane with me because I already had too much stuff. Alas... but something to look forward to.

RAFFIA IN THE DOORWAY

2012-01-06T12:30:00.002-08:00

(I don't know who owns the ©)

From Pencil Dancing - Chapter 1

Write about one of your creative accomplishments. Describe what problem or situation you overcame. What obstacles did you tackle? What helped you? What didn't? How did you feel when you reached a satisfying conclusion?

In spring 2008, I moved to Moose Jaw, SK. At that time, I was still working up at Firebag. This meant I was on a 10/4 rotation which meant I would work for ten days and go home for four. I didn't know anyone in Moose Jaw and I didn't have any Internet connectivity so I decided to learn how to knit.

Problem was; I had to teach myself.

I had tried to learn the basics from books but I'm a visual learner and many of the written explanations didn't make sense to me. One day I was browsing online at the local coffee shop and stumbled upon a knitting website with video tutorials. I watched a video on how to do a purl stitch (which I couldn't figure out), and within 10 seconds all was revealed to me forever and that's when I became hooked on knitting.

My most glorious knitting moment was when I found the Knit Witch. The other knitting website was okay but the Knit Witch's video tutorials are perfect. It's because of the Knit Witch that I found the skills and confidence to keep knitting. I also used Debbie Stoller's, Stitch 'n' Bitch, to find beginner's projects.

It's now 2012 and I'm knitting my first sweater. Ravelry has also helped with teaching myself to knit because it's a huge online resource for knitting and crochet.

Wintery Mix

2012-01-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

I'm sick. My tonsils are still swollen and I'm now at the sneezing, runny-nose phase. This means tonight is for Pencil Dancing, The Nerdist Way, and a long hot shower. No gym and that's okay. I had a great workout last night with my personal trainer. I was in the gym for almost 2 hours and left dripping sweat.

The weather here is crazy. Freezing rain and snow falling all day and so the highways have been closed by the government. It's not worth risking my life or my truck to go to the gym while sick. I have to get an out-of-province inspection done on my truck so I definitely don't want to risk a chipped or cracked windshield (which is an automatic fail).

I think I mentioned I bought another iPod nano. I didn't particularly want to but I needed something for the gym and I lost my iPod shuffle charger. Anyways, it's cute, blue, and works with the Nike+ app so I'm happy with it. I'm going to spend some time tonight downloading my workout music onto it.

In a nutshell; tonight is a good night for staying indoors.

Doctor Doctor

2012-01-04T16:05:00.003-08:00

Found: a province willing to accept me. Today I become a resident of Alberta again after a 4 year absence. I never really left since I work here. It's been a very expensive past two days. However, I'll be able to get health insurance again so it's worth every penny. Also, by switching to the AMA from ICBC I was able to save $1600/yr on my truck insurance. That made my day just a little brighter :)

It's been 3 years without health insurance. I've been living on the edge with my health since being laid off in 2009. Two weeks from now I'll be able to apply for my health insurance. Finally.

I've been trying to get health insurance for 14 months. It feels like forever. I'm happy this struggle has finally found its end.

Neutral Good

2012-01-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

(© Julie Hawkes)

Money spent - January 2, 2012 = $62.99

I bought three books (Dawn Light, The Moon By Whale Light, Health & Beauty From the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan); Honey Lemon Halls because my tonsils are still swollen; and a jigger of laundry detergent. The books round out my reading list for 2012 which I finished creating this morning.

My goal is to pay off all debts except my truck and just try to live simply. I debated getting the books but they were three not on my reading list that I don't already own. I hope to only have to purchase one more book, The Prosperous Heart, when it's released.

As part of my Character Tome for The Nerdist Way, I had to make a list of what I want and/or what I want to do on a chart complete with progress bars. I created it in Excel and it's five, 8.5" x 14" pages long, and lists everything I hope to do or accomplish in 2012. I will add a sample onto Google Docs as soon as I can.

Some guy on my Twitter feed mentioned yesterday that he finished reading, The Nerdist Way, and that was that. A creativity or self-help book won't help you if all you do is read it. One has to do the exercises to get any benefit out of it. Part of creating the Character Tome was I had to choose my alignment. I took the alignment test and it came out accurate as Neutral Good. I've been thinking about that result and it's helped define my goals for the year. Doing the exercises in the book helps. Truly.

Tonight I have to pick up a small amount of groceries and put gas in my truck. This is okay because I budget for this every week.

Fox

2012-01-02T14:39:00.002-08:00

(I don't know who owns the ©)

I'm currently working through the exercises in a creativity book titled Pencil Dancing. I haven't decided whether I'll post those answers here or on my tumblr blog. I've been debating the pros and cons in my head since last night. I'm determined to have an answer before I come back from the gym. I'm almost convinced I bought this book in 2005 so it's been sitting in a box for awhile. It's about time I got started.

Money spent - January 1, 2012 = $0

On Being Human

2012-01-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

(A picture of Ziggy by Michelle Dupont. The portraits of her son she did for her 365 days project really express what my journey and values are about. Check out her 365 days projects here and here)

This blog began in 2004 (of which the archives are lost... long story). That year I started working at a job that I hated. The work environment was good and I worked with awesome people but the job itself was right out of Dante's Inferno. As a response to that sort of work stress I started turning more inwards and focused on making my non-work life authentic to my values.

Since 2005 I've been actively trying to bring a certain humanity to my life that can be described as authentic, minimalist, creative, organic, and natural. This blog has been a witness to that effort although I admit that effort has only been achieved in fits and starts.

I don't really like the artificial. So much of what I see on the Internet and in analog life now is so earnest and fake that I can't even feel anything about it. For example, lifestyle photography. I believe that if you're going to stage a shot, then do it. If you want to set up a shot to express an emotion or a moment, great! I only get annoyed when the photographer thinks they're tricking me into believing the shot was spontaneous and natural.

But I digress. I do that a lot. My blog is rife with digressions and tangents.

I have been trying for 6 years to bring these qualities into my life. They are qualities of human-ness that we have from birth. A naturalness of being that is revealed by the removal of the artificial; hair that is left undyed; skin that is not enhanced by tanners, chemicals, or plastic surgery; fabrics to wear that are of nature and dyed colours found in nature. I also include our core personalities when not masked or taken hostage by our need to please others or the riotous cacophony of popular culture.

It's the lack of pretension and obvious perfection. It's about beautiful, flowing design that is in harmony with the rhythms of everyday life. Quiet, comfortable minimalism. To bring into life that which enhances and promotes beauty, health, and well-being. What brings authenticity and wellness is individual. For me it's rooted in science, movement, philosophy, minimalism, natural living, and creativity.

My hope for 2012 is that I can finally succeed at bringing this harmony of being, this certain humanity into my life so that my life can be defined absolutely by it.

Regression

2011-12-31T08:26:00.001-08:00

Last post before the new year. All my preparations are done. I made a resolution to embrace simple living and return to my minimalist roots so true to my word, I'm just going to ease into 2012.

I've spent some time this past week going through old files I've had backed up since 2006. Sadly I realized I was much smarter then than I am now. I'm not really sure why that is but I suspect it has a lot to do with coming to work in the Alberta Oil Sands. Working in the oil industry is mostly a good experience. The problem is, if you let it, work will take over your life.

Sadly, that's not the main reason I think I was doing better 6 years ago. The main reason is being laid off 3 times in the past 3 years made paying off debts more difficult which in turn increases stress. I spent a lot of time playing catch up by working a lot of hours.

For 2011, I came in 2nd or 3rd place for most amount of days worked. The good news means my debts (with exception of my truck) will be paid off by the end of the first half of 2012. The bad news, I've become normal and boring.

I can't stress how normal and boring I've become. I was reading a lot of these old text files, and it's like somebody else wrote them. Someone much more open to experience and who had a lot more time to read and really be thoughtful.

I'm just going to relax and be easy about 2012. I'm not making any special plans. I made a journal for tracking my to-do lists and I made a workout schedule. I have my resolutions made. The only thing left to do is get on with it.

Happy New Year :) BTW, not that I believe in this stuff but I'm a dragon and 2012 is the year of the dragon. Just sayin'.

Fundamental. Elemental

2011-12-11T10:37:00.001-08:00

I need to expand on my previous post. 2012 is going to be dedicated to creativity and self-definition but I want to go about it a certain way. I've decided to go back to my roots and embrace minimalism and simplicity in my life.

Why? Because I keep losing things, forgetting stuff, and feel like I'm rushing around because of it. That's a big deal for me because my lifestyle is really laid back. I'm a construction worker that lives in a camp in the woods; my life cannot be described as hectic.

It's not because of old age or senility that I keep losing and forgetting things. My mind is perfectly fine. My problem is I've been holding all my lists, including my to-do lists, in my mind rather than on paper. Notice I didn't say digitally? I still believe in keeping paper journals and day-books. I'm old school like that.

I'm also starting to accumulate too much stuff. I really hate that. For the summer of 2009 I had lived simply. I did this more for my own peace of mind than anything else. I went to a new job and wasn't sure if it was going to work out. It didn't. I was laid off, along with the rest of my crew, after 4 months. While I was at camp I had only taken one suitcase full of stuff, a pillow, blanket, and 2 knitting projects. I was at peace with 'stuff'. I could pack up and go on days off within 10 minutes.

Now I've just got too much stuff (this does not include books or perfume, of course). But other stuff like old clothes, comic books, magazines, movies, cds, trinkets, and odd collections of things I don't want anymore. Ok... maybe there are a few books I can donate as well, not to mention that elephant that is my Star Wars collection. That has to go. Not all of it but at least 80%.

My 4 areas of focus for 2012 are creativity, minimalism, heritage, and working through lessons from The Nerdist Way. I didn't realize it but those 4 things represent the classic elements; fire (creativity), earth (minimalism), water (heritage), and air (The Nerdist Way).

I know you're thinking, "The Nerdist Way, what now? The book has some simple time management tricks that I want to learn and take advantage of. Plus, I think the whole RPG Your Life angle is fun. Remember, I only do self-help or creativity books that are fun.

I'm working on a plan for all this ambitiousness. I'm not quite sure how it's going to all work together. I guess the first step will be to buy a new dayplanner for 2012 so I can track all my lists. I also created a new workout schedule (which is subject to change based on availibility of instructors):

Monday - chest, triceps, shoulders / cardio
Tuesday - zumba / 5K training / back, biceps
Wednesday - yoga / zumba / legs
Thursday - zumba / 5K training / chest, triceps, shoulders
Friday - back, biceps / cardio
Saturday - yoga / 5K training / legs
Sunday - rest

Create All the Things

2011-12-01T14:47:00.001-08:00

I have decided, after a month-long experiment with blogging on Tumblr, that I prefer the traditional blog format. So, I guess that means I'm back.

2012 is soon approaching so that means I'm declaring my New Year's Resolution. My only rule is it has to be fun. I didn't do so well on my 2011 resolutions but I did try.

I'm dedicating 2012 to creativity and being creative. I think 2012 is going to be a year for really defining myself because I feel too ambiguous. I was inspired by an old episode of Wil Wheaton's podcast, Radio Free Burrito. I always say I want to be more focused and creative but always seem to sacrifice my creativity for my job.

I have a stack of creativity books and a whole year ahead of me. I don't have any defined plans but I know I want to go slow and easy and still focus on exploring my heritage. I want to make sure that it's a positive journey and to make sure I relax and really put in a worthwhile effort.

Tumble

2011-11-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

If you want to know where all the action is while I knit my dad's Christmas sweater, check out my tumblr blog. It's fantastic!

Gym Rat

2011-11-05T15:11:00.001-07:00

I've turned into a gym rat :'( It's a damn shame. Here is my new workout schedule:

Monday - Chest & Triceps
Tuesday - Zumba / C25K / Personal Trainer*
Wednesday - Back & Biceps
Thursday - Cardio / C25K
Friday - Legs
Saturday - Yoga / C25K / Personal Trainer*
Sunday - REST

*subject to availibility

It's so sad. I wish drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and eating tasty food was good for one's health. Alas. I quit smoking and I rarely eat tasty food. Now I workout a lot and eat a lot of yogurt and chicken. This officially means I've gone insane. I'm one of those people.

I'm of course being a bit over-dramatic. I actually enjoy working out; mostly. I also really like yogurt and chicken. I do miss smoking though but the ability to run without gasping for air makes up for it as does the extra $250 per month.

Prairie TV

2011-11-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

Photos taken with my iPhone 4 while working in Alberta.

Get Your Om On

2011-11-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

I didn't get gauge on my sweater swatch. That means tonight I try again after I get home from my run and buying my yoga mat.

Wait, what? Yoga? Yup. I haven't done any yoga since 2006 but I signed up for a yoga program last night. I can't wait :)

Beaver Moon

2011-11-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my sister! :)

November is an ambitious month for me. All fun and games of course.

November is the month of the Beaver Moon. Beaver's are know to be reasourceful, efficient, and hard working. That's what I plan to be all this month. Usually November is a lull month for me because I usually don't have anything planned. This is usually because the weather turns for the worse as the snow starts to fall on the prairies.

I've decided since I have the time I'm going to try and complete 3 different tasks; two creative, one physical. They are:

Write Non-Fiction in November. I plan on writing an entire draft copy of a non-fiction book.
Knit a sweater. I plan to have my father's sweater complete by December 1, 2011.
Have 4 weeks of the C25K running plan complete. I was up to a solid 3K despite shin splints but I stopped running over the summer due to the heat.

'Cause I'm Like That

2011-10-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

The snow fell so you know what that means. It's the time of year where, I, Sonja, tempt fate :) I've done it so much in the past that it feels like my job. But since I've been through this before and don't feel like writing it all out again, I'm just going to quote myself:

"Making big changes and finding new routines is difficult and tiring but, completely worth it. My goal is to get to Antarctica in February 2012. This requires two things; extreme budgeting and getting in shape. I've been working on both.

The budgeting is the easiest to do since I spend most of each month in camp.
Not so bad, really. I am able to live 3 weeks out of every month without having to spend money. If I didn't have existing debt obligations I would be living easy.
The difficult part is getting in shape enough to survive Antarctica. I don't really like exercise. Most people don't. I am of the opinion that the human body tries to conserve energy and calories as much as possible. It makes sense. I understand why most people have to motivate themselves to go to the gym. Including me. I don't like being sweaty and having sore muscles. I'd rather knit, read, soak in a hot bath... bliss."

As you know, dear reader, a lot has changed since I wrote that. I was laid off from that job; got a different job; bought a truck; and paid back the government a lot of money. Oh and there is also the thing where I quit smoking on Valentine's Day of this year and I pretty much exercise a lot now. I don't hate it quite so much anymore. I will admit I still prefer knitting and reading to exercising.

I still want to go to Antarctica, Asia, and Africa. That hasn't changed. So I guess the plan now is to start extreme budgeting again, keep exercising, and get my debts paid off. It will be harder now since I have my truck to pay for. I'm also a lot calmer about it. I know Antarctica won't happen for a few years but that's okay. There are many adventures here in Canada I want to take first.

My goal is adventure, whether home or abroad.

There; fate tempted. Sorry, mum.

Autumn Sunrise

2011-10-19T13:53:00.002-07:00

Cinderella

2011-10-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

I made a list of my odd cravings this week:

almond nougat
mushroom soup
crisp bread with cheese and onion relish
ice cold, watery Pepsi
hot and sour soup
roast chicken sandwiches

Being in northern Alberta means that during the latter half of the year I experience some dramatic shifts in temperature. I'm used to it but I still get odd cravings and the need to sleep longer. In the Summer I sleep lightly and often wake up twice during the night. In Autumn and Winter, I sleep through the night. I guess that's perfectly normal. It gets brutally cold up here and it's dark 18 hours a day so it makes sense that I crave comfort food and a lot of sleep. Why fight it?

I really enjoy my time at MacDonald Island Park. I feel a bit like Cinderella every time I go but not in a good way. I'm happy when I'm there but when I drive back to camp it feels like my carriage has turned back into a pumpkin.

I'm disappointed I didn't get into the photography course but there are still a few workshops I can try and take. I'm also going to be in Saskatchewan for Hallowe'en so that should be good. I bought some really great books last October and they've been at home ever since. I haven't even gotten a chance to really read through them! I am determined to bring them up to camp so I can read them over Winter.

I'll be at the gym tonight. It's leg day so I don't expect my workout to be easy. It is my favourite though. It's something and the reward of coffee at the end.

Through the Woods

2011-10-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

Cozy

2011-10-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

Today is Thanksgiving here in Canada. I'm in camp so missing out on my mum's delicious turkey dinner. She makes the best stuffing and pumpkin pie. I'll be eating the camp cook's turkey dinner which, if the pumpkin tarts are any indication, I'm a bit wary of trying.

I think I'll spend most of tonight writing and reading. I'm sure I'll be too full of turkey and not likely motivated to do anything else. I am feeling a bit restless so I may go to the gym later tonight. Today was a bit of a nothing day. Beautiful. The sun is shining and work was routine but somehow I didn't do anything noteworthy. That's okay though as not every day needs to be filled up with stuff.

I will note that I've been having unusual food cravings now that the temperature is dropping. Yesterday I was craving hot and sour soup. Last night I was craving coffee in the worst way. I mean really craving it. I've also been craving fiction books and have been reading every chance I get. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as the desire to bunker down does tend to happen every October whenever I find myself on the prairie.

Spooky Kid

2011-10-08T16:03:00.001-07:00

I'm a difficult person to pin down when it comes to what kind of movies I'll watch. I'm not a movie snob but I can be picky about what I like. When I say I'm not a movie snob I mean that I don't care whether a movie is Oscar material. I'm more interested in a good story and I don't watch award shows anyways.

Let me be honest about how difficult I truly am. I don't like movie theatres and I don't like restaurants. I prefer to watch movies at home (or camp) curled up under a blanket and armed with copious amounts of hot coffee. Good coffee. Coffee I don't have to sneak into a theatre past some bored 15 year old ticket ripper. Also, homemade popcorn is infinitely better then anything found at a corporate multiplex.

So I was browsing through Rotten Tomatoes and made a short list of movies that may make me happy. And just so you know, dear reader, I have a fondness for zombies, viruses, monsters, and general mayhem. If you're interested in movie geeks with good taste, I recommend my Internet friend, Michael of Triplux. He is much more cerebral in his choices.

My choices are Contagion (viruses); another remake of The Thing (monsters); The Dead (zombies) and Melancholia (but that's just because it has Alexander Skarsgård). I also found out today that season 2 of The Walking Dead starts on October 16. Bliss!

Today also brought new yarn (Debbie Bliss Paloma in Ecru) and Donna Hay magazine Issue 57 (both courtesy of my sister); me wanting a candy-corn monster (!); and later to be finished with crocheting my winter scarf while watching Hockey Night in Canada and reading (for the 100th time) Sensual Home by Ilse Crawford.

Spooky Truck

2011-10-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

Think Different

2011-10-07T13:56:00.001-07:00

I've always believed in taking a cold, hard look at my life and changing what needs to be changed. I deactivated my Facebook account permanently. I found using Facebook to be tedious and uninspiring. I found it akin to growing a garden full of vegetables you don't like and won't eat, so what's the point? I don't think I'm the right demographic for the service; I'm too old and my analog life is already too full to be concerned with giving status updates to people that don't care what I'm doing. The people that do care; we are already in contact either face to face or through another service.

My third appointment with my personal trainer is tonight. Leg day was awesome but I am still sore. Truly sore, but in a good way. I'm getting some good workout time in and he makes sure I don't get lazy. That's the whole point.

Other than work and working out I've been busying myself either:

Crocheting a winter scarf. (of which I am half way through).
Reading Quicksilver on my iPhone 4. (of which I am also half way through).
Reading Neuromancer on my Amazon Kindle.
Reading a smattering of books I brought to camp with me including Homemade.
Listening to podcasts of This American Life.
Listening to the News from Lake Wobegone or...
Catching up on episodes of the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast.
Watching Canucks hockey.

That's what I've been doing while at camp. Winter's coming. They are calling for snow next Thursday.

Stuff and Stuff

2011-10-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight I have my second full session with my personal trainer. If that session was any indication, my muscles are going to be sore for a good 3 days afterwards. I hope it's leg day. I think I'll ask that it's leg day just so it fits with my normal routine (remember the chart?).

It's been raining here at camp and the nights are getting longer and colder. Now that summer is officially over I've a renewed interest in my creative pursuits. This means a lot more writing, reading, crochet, and knitting. I'm also going to focus on, for lack of a better term, still-life photography. Not an intense focus but I will make an effort to learn and practice some techniques. I've been using my time this week to get organized. I'm such a nerd that I like picking through my stuff and organizing it by type and date. I like doing stuff like that and it's real nerdy but I don't care.

Right now I'm crocheting a winter scarf (it's grey, of course), knitting my dad's sweater, and writing my way through, The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron. I've also started watching all those DVD's I bought in July.

New

2011-09-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

I hired a personal trainer and bought a membership at the huge recreation centre in Fort McMurray. I don't need a personal trainer as I'm smart enough to create and execute my own fitness training. I did it because I'm bored at camp. I knit and read and sew and that's not boring. I'm bored because I don't get out of camp much so I have a kind of cabin fever. By hiring a personal trainer I get to have someone help me tweak my exercise routines and we get talk about stuff that's interesting (exercise) instead of talking about work. I don't like talking about work because after a 10 hour shift I've had enough of it. So for 4 days a week I workout at the camp gym and 2 days a week with my personal trainer.

My fitness evaluation is tonight. I hope it goes well.

To alleviate my boredom this autumn and winter my plan is to get outside and do stuff. My options are limited as it gets really cold this far north (avg temp is -30C). Fort McMurray has a small ski/snowboarding hill that I might take advantage of. Now that I have my truck I can also travel around on weekends I have off. For right now I just want to stay warm and workout at the rec centre. It is so big you have no idea. That picture above is only half of it. It has 3 swimming pools, and indoor track, multiple hockey rinks, the public library, a fitness room, weightroom, and on it goes. It's incredible.

Of Home and Heinzelmännchen

2011-09-26T07:54:00.003-07:00

Lahr, Germany 1909

This morning while drinking my coffee I was reading up on a traditional German dress called a dirndl. If you've ever been to an Okotberfest, you've seen one. I read that it was the traditional dress of the women of Bavaria which is located on the eastern side of the famous Black Forest. But! That's not what caught my attention...

I was born in Lahr, which is in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. My father said to me that it was specifically Lahr/Schwarzwald. I read today that Schwarzwald is German for Black Forest.The famous Black Forest where the most delicious cake ever gets its namesake. Yeah, that Black Forest.

I knew that Lahr was near Strasborg, in the Alsace region of France, because my parents used to take us to visit. I then placed Lahr on the map and found out that I was born in the Black Forest region of Germany. How awesome is that? For someone like me, that loves Nature more than anything else, this is really something.

So it's a forest, big deal, you say? It's the forest that inspired many (not all) of the creepy fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm. These were the stories I grew up with and are still some of my favourites. A dark, creepy forest that inspired dark, creepy stories? How can I not like it? And knowing that I was born near this dark and creepy forest, so full of folklore and history, just makes me happy.

I also found a good article titled, "The Complete Guide To: The Black Forest" written by The Independent. It's worth a read. So now you know what I do while drinking my morning coffee. Instead of watching pr0n or catching up on celebrity gossip like the less inspired of us, I read articles on traditional german dress while listening to the deliciously creepy German alphabet song.

Autumn Scents

2011-09-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

The best shopping day of the year finally arrived as BPAL released its Hallowe'en scents. I was a bit disappointed in the lack of pumpkin scents as I spent an almost shameful amount of time earlier this year preparing for a good harvest. Because of the lack of pumpkin choices I got to spend a few hours tweaking my list of perfume choices for fall.

I learned how important it is to work with body chemistry and scent preference. In the past I had purchased a lot of scents that were heavy Floral and Soft Oriental notes. Most perfumes stay fairly true on my skin but I noticed that after an hour or so I did not enjoy the overpowering, heavy Oriental scents. I also tend to not like overly sweet scents that aren't mellowed or cut with something like spice or florals.

What I did find to my surprise is that all sub-groups of Florals smell wonderful on me. I also do well with herbaceous green notes, and Mossy Woods. I'm looking forward to the lighter, floral scents of Belle Époque, The Rose, L'ecole des Filles, and Endymion because I love the smell of flowers so much. Below is my autumn perfume order from BPAL with my notes in italic.

Autumn Cider - Fermented apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, lemon zest, butterscotch liquor, and orange slices. I'm expecting this to be cloying and overly sweet due to the brown sugar and butterscotch. If I wear this scent I'll probably blend it into an unfragranced lotion before applying. I may also use it as a room scent in an oil burner.
The Silver Apple of the Moon - White apple with orris, agave nectar, moonflower, white sandalwood, and lotus root. This should be a crisp apple scent that is sweetened by the agave nectar and deeped by the spicy notes of orris, sandalwood and moonflower. I predict it will also be light, a bit dry, and a little old fashioned.
La Calavera Catrina - Autumn leaves, wild roses, bourbon vanilla, dry chamomile, and a bouquet of bright chrysanthemums and Mexican marigolds.I predict this will be a dry, old fashioned, spicy floral but also slight sweet (vanilla) and sour (chamomile). I think the mix of chamomile and chrysanthemums is going to smell lovely.
Sonnet d'Automne - shivering white musk with vanilla-infused white cocoa, amber incense, and dead, dry leaves. This scent is going to be sweet and dry. I'm not sure what to expect because I'm not familiar with what white musk and cocoa would smell like together. In my opinion it's an odd combination but for some reason the description reminds me of the first winter snowfall and that makes me interested and happy.
John Barleycorn 2011 - Barley, beer, blood, and whiskey. I just hope this doesn't smell like a pub after hours. I think however, that it's going to smell of whiskey and the grain bill used in brewing beer.
The Changeling - Blonde wood, linen swaddling, pumpkin rind, and bourbon vanilla. The combination of linen and wood reminds me of being home on a rainy, October day. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and this scent, personally, represents Thanksgiving (Canada) and Hallowe'en. I hope this becomes a favourite, every day autumnal scent.
Pumpkin Princess - Bright, sweet pumpkin with vanilla fluff, guava, chocolate-dusted white amber, tiare, red currant, raw honey, and meringue. This is going to be sweet, dry and slightly tart like Hallowe'en candy. I bought it for the pumpkin and vanilla. I'm not expecting to be overly impressed but I'm optimistic the white amber and red currant win me over.
Dana O'Shee - milk, honey and sweet grains. Inspired by creatures from Irish folklore. According to tradition; milk, honey, and grains are offered to appease the Dana O'Shee. I hope it smells like oatmeal because I really like the smell of oatmeal cooking over a stove. I also love to eat oatmeal, usually every day during the fall and winter months.
Leanan Sidhe - crush of Irish herbs and flowers, Gaelic mists, and nighttime dew. From Irish and Scottish folklore, Leanan Sidhe are beautiful fairy women. I don't know much about the legend but if this smells ethereal and of soft herbs and grasses I'll be over the moon in love with this fragrance.
Endymion - sweet, wistful blend of d'Anjou pear, Lily of the Valley, bois du rose and white musk. This perfume should be sweet and full of spicy floral notes. I know this could be a year-round favourite. I really hope so, and I love the light scent of Lily of the Valley which reminds me of my childhood.
Fae - white musk, bergamot, heliotrope, peach and oakmoss. This will probably be deeper and spicier than Leanan Sidhe. Perhaps it will smell like an orchard full of ripening peaches? Perhaps more subtle like a mossy orchard floor?
Zombi - Dried roses, rose leaf, Spanish moss, oakmoss and deep brown earth. A dry, dusty rose scent. Interesting that for Beth of BPAL, zombies remind her of dead bouquets of roses.
Yggdrasil - Nine woods, nine leaves, and three herbs each for Ratatosk and Vidofnir, with three final herbs to placate Nidhogg. I have my fingers crossed for this scent as well as Odin. I want herbs and green leaves. I hope it doesn't smell too strongly of wintergreen or pine. I'm taking a leap of faith.
Odin - dry elm bark, amaranth, warrior's musk, and Odin's Nine Herbs of Power. Same as Yggdrasil above though this should be a very masculine scent with some sweet notes to soften it and make it comfortable.
The Rose - red rose petals, fresh sap, and the sharp green scent of stem and leaf. Pure rose = pure joy. I love the smell of a proper English rose garden.
L'ecole des Filles - orange blossom, ambergris, orris root, white rose, lemon balm, jonquil, carrot seed, and benzoin. It's supposed to be french inspired perfume but to me it's both French and English. I have a feeling this may end up being my very favourite BPAL fragrance of all time.
Belle Époque - Sweet opium, Lily of the Valley, vanilla, mandarin and red sandalwood.This scent will be spicy and it's very Parisian. The notes remind me of the type of perfume women wear for evening out at the theatre or long, candlelit dinners at fancy restaurants.

Not Buying It

2011-09-06T09:23:00.017-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile but that's because I haven't done anything but work. I haven't spent any time knitting or reading novels. I haven't even been to the gym. What I have been doing is sulking or to be mature about it, experiencing a certain amount of ennui regarding my hobbies and interests.

I've given up on geek culture because I just can't take adults who act like children seriously. The global economy and the environment are both on the precipice of disaster yet my fellow geeks waste more time and energy being enraged at George Lucas for alleged changes he's made to the upcoming Blu-Ray release of Star Wars. My choice is to not buy the Blu-Ray edition when released and just enjoy the version of Star Wars I already own. Easy. No gnashing of teeth or writing of angry blog posts about how Lucas has ruined my childhood.

Also, when I can't tell the difference between a 12 year-old and 40 year-old because they're wearing similar clothing and hairstyles and share the same mannerisms, something has gone terribly wrong. I was getting to the point of being guilty of this but hopefully caught myself before I embarrassed myself. I'm sure I still need time to deprogram from the influence of the Internet these past 3 years.

It is my belief that as an adult, one is supposed to enjoy an increased amount of complexity whether sensual, emotional, and/or intellectual. As adults we can appreciate a fine red wine or complex novel because we have built up a store of experiences as well as a vocabulary to find and give meaning to each new thing we encounter or engage in. In other words it's fine to enjoy comic books but immature if one never reads beyond them. Being well educated doesn't ruin imagination because in order to imagine one must have a base of knowledge and experience to begin with.

But anyways...

I haven't been knitting out of a simple fear that I'll screw up my dad's sweater. I know I just have to suck it up buttercup and just do it. I think I'll start tonight. Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to do 1 swatch or 2 since the sweater features a moss stitch detail.

To get past my disappointment in geek culture and my ennui re: everything else I've decided to just step down a new path for the remainder of this year and for 2012. I won't be going on those wished for trips to conventions because 1. I bought a new truck and 2. I really don't want to anymore.

Instead I'm going to dedicate myself to exploring my roots by indulging in my Scandinavian, British, and Canadian heritage. I'd rather use my time and intellect pursuing my wonderfully nerdy interests and just leave geek culture behind (for the time being). I'm also not going to make any real plans. I have a vague interest in visiting England and Norway next year but no definite plans. I want to leave any future planning for 2012 and just see where my more intellectual pursuits lead me.

Dark and Stormy

2011-08-24T13:21:00.015-07:00

Yesterday morning an older gentleman (I use that term loosely) said good morning to me as I was leaving the dining hall on my way to work. I said good morning back but this seemed to agitate him. He stopped and screwed up his face and said, "how come you never smile?" I told him it was because I'm not the smiling type. That's the easy answer but please indulge me while I get to the long and rambling truth of it all.

I am a serious person and an introvert. I always have been and yes, that means since I was child. This is not because I've suffered any trauma or have unresolved issues. I had a wonderful childhood and in fact, it was probably more unique than most. I belong to a wonderful family of voracious readers and that has been accompanied, over the years, by many dogs, birds, and even 2 cats.

I am an atheist and an earth-centric pagan (in a non-religious way). I do not believe in God (I did the whole spiritual quest and came back an even stronger atheist with a new found love of science and philosophy), ghosts, ESP, alien visits to Earth, divination, faeries, unicorns, Santa Claus, the Great Pumpkin, soul mates, reincarnation, life after death, or superstition... among other things.

I have no desire to be rich, famous, or powerful. I don't define myself by my career and I have absolutely no desire to network socially and create large, superficial lists of friends and acquaintances. I have a handful of good friends and that's good enough for me. I do not dress to impress and I don't care if you don't like me, my hobbies and interests, or the way I dress. I also don't care if gentlemen prefer blondes or if yellow is the new black.

I prefer my world to be full of shadows and light; peace and quiet; greys, blacks and faded jewel tones. My seasons are Summer and Fall and my holidays Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en. I am not Goth; I just have gothic underpinning (they keep my soul dark and moist, like chocolate cake). I prefer my wine, beer, and bread dark and earthy, like my humour.

I smile when I have something to smile about and I laugh when I find something funny. Well, I also laugh when I encounter something so absurd or stupid that laughing seems the only thing left to do.

Below is a short list of some of the stuff I do like. Stuff that makes me happy, glad, and almost always makes me smile. It's just the way it is and the way I prefer it to be.

Peace and quiet.
Grey; especially charcoal grey. I wrote an essay about it.
Dark and stormy nights.
My stuff vintage and second hand. I prefer the shine worn off and a bit of soul rubbed in.
Being a brunette.
Being a woman.
Knitting and crochet using wool and cotton.
Pea coats.
Khakis and blue jeans.
Pumpkins, apples, and strawberries.
Molasses and maple syrup.
Photography, web dev, and creativity books.
Lakes and oceans.
Poems, prose, sea shanties, and fish stories of all kinds.
A cool room, warm bedding, a soft mattress, and fluffy pillows.
Dogs; especially Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, and Labrador Retrievers.
Cats in black and grey varieties.
My truck that I can use to haul around my books and use to go camping in.
My family.
Hot cups of coffee and tea.
Beer, wine, scotch, and rum.
Nature especially trees, wolves, birds, flowers, fruit, owls, and sheep.
Homesteading and small-scale farming.
Cabins by lakes and cottages by the sea.
Books.
Movies; especially Star Wars, horror, zombie, adventure, and from the 1970's.
Philosophy
The sciences especially Planetary Science.
Men with red hair.
Heavy metal music.
The Internet before Web 2.0.
Puzzles, board and dice games.
Good horror written by King, Lovecraft, and Poe.
Studying the history of science and philosophy.
United Kingdom (I'm a shameless Anglophile)
Canadian history
Twitter because it's short and sweet.
Collecting coffee and tea cups.
Make-up, perfume, soap, and moisturizers.
Summer and Autumn, especially October.
Thanksgiving, Hallowe'en, and Yule.
Watching entire seasons of TV shows on DVD.

To Autumn by John Keats

2011-08-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cider-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,-
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

Happy Things for the Mouth

2011-08-16T23:02:00.003-07:00

New beer to try for the weekend; Sap Vampire Maple Lager by the Amber Brewing Company. And if that isn't enough to get you excited they also have Grog, Zombie Apocalypse Unfiltered Red Lager, and Kenmount Road Chocolate Stout.

I Came. I Read. I Bought a Truck

2011-08-11T23:36:00.003-07:00

Storm Watch

2011-08-06T14:26:00.001-07:00

Watching the storm outside my office trailer during my last coffee break. Awesome.

Under the Covers

2011-08-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

August, I love you

2011-08-04T21:37:00.003-07:00

Preppy

2011-08-02T20:18:00.007-07:00

(image © Brooks Brothers)

I was asked why I try to dress preppy and why I like preppy clothes.

My style is more nerdy casual rather than truly preppy. If I didn't work in construction and felt more inclined to spend money on clothing, my wardrobe would probably be 70% classic preppy and 30% nerdy. Right now it's about 50-50.

On my influence map, I list the Gap and J.Crew as two of my influences. I grew up on a military college campus on the outskirts of the city of Victoria, British Columbia. When I was a teenager I spent a couple years in Army Cadets. This influenced me because 1) I learned to be prepared and 2) I learned to be organized and tidy in my appearance.

What does that mean? It means not wearing inconvenient or fussy clothing, hairstyles, or make-up. It means preferring my zippers zipped and my buttons buttoned to the top. It also means a straight lines, basic shapes, and a neutral colour palette. And of course, comfort and warmth, layers and being able to travel well.

Being a classic nerd and old school geek, I have an affinity for academia and learning. I can't stress enough that growing up on a military college campus influenced who I am today 100%, especially my love of books and of learning. It probably also explains why khaki, grey and navy blue are my absolute favourite colours to wear. To most people those colours represent the military and discipline. To me, they represent home and knowledge.

I often say that I have gothic underpinnings and that's true. If I were a classic prep, I would probably wear pastels like pink or green or yellow. I don't wear those colours with the exception of t-shirts. I wear mostly khaki, grey, black, navy blue, and off-white. I also have a preferred colour palette for general purposes which is made up of my absolute favourite colours; sky blue, a faded union jack blue, maple leaf red, winter white, and sweatshirt grey:

I'll leave the gothic underpinnings for another day because I don't want to muddy this essay. I will say that I believe in balance and as much as I love a beautiful blue sky on a summer morning, I also love a heavy, dark thunder and lightning storm deep in the heart of October. I love contrast; shadows and dancing light.

So take the classic collegiate look, mix in some military discipline, layer on the colours of Canada and Britain, and dose heavily with nerdiness and you have my style absolutely. I usually default to t-shirts, hoodies, and jeans but I think in the future I will define my signature style and own it.

Fire in the Sky

2011-07-31T07:50:00.001-07:00

Analog

2011-07-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this then you are in the future. Congratulations.

I am spending my entire Sunday in analog. I'm not even going to use my cellphone as an alarm clock to wake up. I have one day off this week and I'm going to make the most of it. I'll admit now that I'm going to use my iPod nano at the gym. Yeah, I know it's digital but working out without music really sucks.

So enjoy your day, dear reader. I am going to spend mine reading and sleeping and working out. If I plan it right, I may even get a solid 14 hours of reading done. Glorious.

Zombie Playlist #1

2011-07-30T06:50:00.014-07:00

(uncredited picture)

Finally! I give you part 1 of my Zombie Playlist. It is a luscious and vivacious mix of horrorbilly, rockabilly, punk, pop, metal and thrash. It starts off light and fun with "Scientist" by the Dandy Warhols and then gets a lot heavier starting with "Scream" by the Misfits.

I use this mix when I'm at the gym. I listen to the whole thing straight through if I'm doing a 5K walk or lifting weights. If I'm training for my 5K run, then I usually use my Zombie Workout mix which includes most of the heavier songs. I'll post that playlist tomorrow.

I found a really cool playlist on iTunes which helped me select a lot of the horrorbilly and rockabilly songs. I will post that tomorrow as well. Each song is linked to YouTube so that you can hear a full version of each song; no lame 30 second previews around here. So... Enjoy!

Also, remember Rule #1 - Cardio and Rule #18 - Limber Up; 'nuff said.

My friend @feenstuh created my Zombie Playlist on YouTube. He's an evil genius who is, without a doubt, equipped to survive the Zombie Apocalypse.

"Scientist" - The Dandy Warhols
"Teenage Brainsurgeon" - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
"Call of the Zombie" - Rob Zombie
"Living Dead Girl" - Rob Zombie
"Walk Like a Zombie" - HorrorPops
"I Walked With a Zombie" - Wednesday 13
"Rockabilly Zombie" - Straight 8s
"Dead Man's Party" - Oingo Boingo
"Monster Mash" - Misfits
"Hoodoo Voodoo Doll" - Brian Setzer Orchestra
"Zombie Jamboree" - Harry Belafonte & Orchestra
Ghost Disco - Chad Fifer and L. Erickson (hppodcraft.com)
"Zombie Dance" - The Cramps
"Rockin' Bones" - The Cramps
"Escape from Hellview" - CKY
"Scream" - The Misfits
"Scream" - Avenged Sevenfold
"Ladies and Gentlemen" - Saliva
"Cowboys From Hell" - Pantera
"Nocturnally" - Static-X
"Superbeast" - Rob Zombie
"Bodies" - Drowning Pool
"Dig (Everything and Nothing remix)" - Mudvayne
"Digging Up the Corpses" - DevilDriver
"Surfacing" - Slipknot
"Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" - Metallica

P.S. How Everything Goes to Hell During a Zombie Apocolypse

Reading the Stars

2011-07-29T15:31:00.006-07:00

(Moon Rise by David Haworth)

(uncredited photo)

I want to learn astrophotography. Ever since I was a little girl I've wanted to be an astronomer so perhaps this is another hobby that can become a creative outlet and let me explore astronomy. I used to ask for a telescope every year for Christmas when I was a kid but my parents couldn't really afford it so I just gave up on it. Lately I just really want to get back into Astronomy. If I save up I can buy a telescope for my birthday next year.

In the meantime I found a good introduction to astrophotography; a guide on how to start right in astronomy; and some basics on how to choose a telescope. For some inspiration, check out this 24 hour photography of the sky by Chris Kotsiopoulos.

And if all else fails, make earl grey cupcakes that look moon-dusted and sparkle-y. I'm not really into cupcakes but lately I've found a lot of good recipes for interesting desserts and most result in cupcakes. I've decided to be OK with it as long as the recipes are creative and interesting.

Evolution of the Geek

2011-07-28T18:39:00.002-07:00

(click to embiggen)

Camp Life

2011-07-27T20:49:00.002-07:00

Why Conventions

2011-07-27T15:00:00.006-07:00

(Sheldon Cooper realizing he missed the San Diego Comic Con)

I've only been to one convention and that was Star Wars Celebration III back in 2005. I had a great experience so why don't I go to more cons? Because I find I have no good reason to go to them.

I don't care about celebrities. I would never pay for a celebrity's time or autograph. If I'm there to shop it's usually for something very specific; I don't like memorabilia or tchotchke. I don't own a TV therefore I only watch a few shows that I download from iTunes or buy on DVD so I don't care about Hollywood hype. I maybe go to the movies a few times a year. In a nutshell; I like pop culture but narrowed down to very specific interests.

I do like science, astronomy, vintage video games, sci-fi and adventure movies, tech manuals, books, museums, board games, dice games, graphic novels, computers, and geek culture. I'm a lot like Sheldon Cooper but a bit more well adjusted and not quite so far down in Crazytown.

So why have I decided to go to conventions now? Depletion of geek health. I live/work in a construction camp and this place is barren of geeks and geek culture. I never get to do anything fun unless I go to Edmonton to get my fix and that's a 5 hour drive. So unless I want to spend all day on the Internet (which I don't), then I'm really low on options.

One of the benefits of my job is that my shift gives me a week off at a time. That's why I can try and go to a handful of conventions and not miss work. Next year I want to be with my tribe even if it's just to hang out and be dazzled by the spectacle. I just want to take in the experience and learn as much as I can. The journey, not the destination.

Shameless Geekery

2011-07-26T13:35:00.010-07:00

(uncredited photo)

(Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes @ pure & yummy)

This August will mark 5 years since I came to Alberta to work in the Oil Sands. I realized that since August 29, 2006, I haven't really indulged in my hobbies or really lived my lifestyle. I've moved a lot but I've also worked a lot. In between were bouts of unemployment.

I don't have any incredible plans for 2012 but I do want to nerd it up as much as possible and use my days off to wander past my own borders. I'm going to indulge in a year of conventions and shameless geekery. This is my list of possible destinations:

PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts
Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington
Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia
Gen Con in Indianapolis, Indiana (same place I was for Star Wars Celebration III)
San Diego Comic Con in San Diego, California
Defcon in Las Vegas, Nevada
PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington
Toronto Comic Con in Toronto, Ontario
Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo in Calgary, Alberta
South by Southwest in Austin, Texas

My wish list. It's not written in stone and I might change my mind upon doing further research and as the events draw closer. I want a nice mix of tech, entertainment and gaming. Hopefully I'll be able to attend most of these. I'll be spending a lot of time in the US so that means I need to get busy and apply for a passport. I have a few more places of interest I want to visit but I'll keep those under wraps for now.

In other news: The Biggest Winners and Losers of Comic Con 2011; Hacked to Death: A Brief History of Tech’s Most Two-Sided Term; Geeky conventions not to miss in 2011; and Frank Miller Hopes 9/11 Comic Holy Terror Will ‘Really Piss People Off’

Making Do

2011-07-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

Quiet and Rainbows

2011-07-24T22:24:00.004-07:00

(pic via Keri Smith's blog)

I spent my day catching up on season 4 episodes of The Big Bang Theory, reading Hackers, and doing laundry. It was a quiet day. I went to Fort McMurray to run errands and the sky was full of rainbows. How can I possibly find fault in a day like today? I can't, and I'm grateful for it.

A Good Day

2011-07-23T21:57:00.010-07:00

(The Night and the Milky Way © Wilson Lee)

(Guinness Stout Brownies at Blondie's Cakes & Things)

(The sound the universe makes: Janna Levin on TED.com)

I've been listening to How the Universe Got Its Spots: Diary of a Finite Time in a Finite Space by Janna Levin on audiobook. The content is solid but I can barely stand to listen to the narrator, Christine Williams.

Although a book of science, it's written as a set of personal letters. This audiobook needed to be read by a woman with a softer and almost wistful quality to her voice. Instead, Christina Williams narrates it with a sharp, almost tomboyish edge (think Jodi Foster) which is jarring and doesn't match the personal content. The topics of topology and a finite Universe are fascinating. I wanted to be drawn in and enchanted but I wasn't, and that's too bad.

I have, however, enjoyed a couple Dark 'n' Stormies thanks to my ability to hunt down a bottle of Gosling's Black Seal Rum. I also snuck in a bottle of Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Both were delicious and I'm only sad I don't have more bottles of the stout.

I've also spent my day listening to Ghosts I-IV, and a collection of instrumental music I received from the boys at hppodcraft.com for making a donation. Both are fantastic and compliment a rainy day full of reading.

I did finish the first season of Haven. I'm on the fence about it but will speak on it another day. I'm off to get in a couple more hours of reading before I inevitably and blissfully fall asleep.

More Than You Can Shake a Stick At

2011-07-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well Read

2011-07-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

Rumoured

2011-07-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

This Dark and Stormy Night

2011-07-20T20:02:00.009-07:00

(Dark 'n' Stormy photo © Dreamy Dish)

I'm usually content with a glass of good beer or red wine. I guess it's because there is an organic earthiness to each that I find appealing. That probably explains why I love coffee and tea as well; because of the earthy flavours and qualities.

I also like scotch and rum and am very fond of a drink called the Dark 'n' Stormy which combines ginger beer and Gosling's Black Seal Rum. The rum is a "black rum distilled from molasses". Molasses and ginger beer also have that earthy flavour I enjoy so it's no surprise the Dark 'n' Stormy is my favourite mixed drink. Here is the recipe from the Ministry of Rum (which is a great site and I encourage you, dear reader, to visit). I find this is my favourite recipe due to the addition of a bit of lime juice.

Dark and Stormy
Method: build in glass

* 50ml Gosling's Black Seal Rum
* 10ml lime juice
* dash gomme syrup
* top with ginger beer

I don't make my Dark 'n' Stormies in tall glasses like in the picture above. I prefer to use the traditional 8 oz highball glass. I also tend to call my Dark 'n' Stormy a Foggy & Wet because I have to substitute for the Gosling's Black Seal Rum since I can never seem to buy it locally.

I know it's weird I've talked a lot about alcohol the past few days. I don't drink very often but usually around this time of year (midsummer) and all the way through to Yule, I find myself drinking more. I don't know why, but I don't really like drinking alcohol in the winter except for warm drinks like ciders or spiked coffees.

Onto other lovely things. I created a small list of books I want to finish reading before the new year. I want to get through the stack of books in my makeshift queue so I can stop feeling easily distracted and lazy. Here is my reading list:

Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson
The Confusion by Neal Stephenson
The System of the World by Neal Stephenson
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean
Philosophical Breakfast Club by Laura Snyder
Sphere by Michael Crichton
State of Fear by Michael Crichton
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Under the Dome by Stephen King
Tommyknockers by Stephen King
Cell by Stephen King
The Soul of the Night: An Astronomical Pilgrimage by Chet Raymo
The Planets by Dava Sobel (I think she's fantastic. I am such a Dava Sobel fangirl. And yes, the book is the same one I've listened to a dozen times in audio format.)

Diversions

2011-07-19T14:02:00.008-07:00

(Salted Caramel and Chocolate Stout Whoopie Pies at Endless Simmer)

I often find myself easily distracted. It's hard for me to resist a well-crafted hyperlink. I started out the morning checking on my Amazon order status. They have The Universe DVD's, all 5 seasons, on sale for $65. Even though I find the show more suited to Americans raised on Spike TV and TNT, it does offer some scientific value. Once you get past the 'everything in the Universe is trying to kill us' emphasize, the series has something to teach you.

I also ordered:

I figured those should keep me entertained while I knit my dad's sweater. I have a long stretch of 8 weeks at camp between my days off in August and Thanksgiving in October.

I thought about Thanksgiving and remembered that I should tell fellow beer drinkers about Canadian Beer News. It helped me find Sherbrooke Liquor's Heartstopper Hot Chocolate Stout which I decided would pair nicely with Spiced Mayan Chocolate Coated Walnuts.

Of course then I found Howe Sound Beer's (@howesoundbeer) Pumpkineater ale and Phillips Brewing Company's Longboat Chocolate Porter. At that point I was wishing I was home in BC where I am able to taste such delights. Finally, I found a recipe for Guinness and Bailey’s Irish Cream Cupcakes. I figure cupcakes are OK and long as they're made with booze.

This is how I get distracted. From science to beer to beer filled desserts I'll probably never eat but which I can still appreciate. If I do try one of the recipes it will probably be the Salted Caramel and Chocolate Stout Whoopie Pies. I love salted caramel and chocolate stout so it's a win all around.

Tasty Treats

2011-07-18T15:24:00.014-07:00

(click the picture for recipe for Espresso Stout Cupcakes)

I was re-reading an older article on Pumpkin Ale and got sidetracked wondering about how to acquire some Midnight Sun Espresso Stout. Somehow that led to finding a recipe for Espresso Stout Cupcakes. I decided they are definitely worth breaking my no-cupcake rule for because they combine beer and espresso and chocolate. I had to think about it for a moment and look at the monitor from the corner of my eye because something this awesome is usually a trick.

Once I felt confident these cupcakes were indeed real I happily continued hunting for news on Granville Island Brewing's Imperial Chocolate Stout, Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale (my favourite) and Pumpkin Ale. All of which, I feel, I should be consuming in modest quantities this fall. The Steamworks Brewing Company also makes their Great Pumpkin Ale that is worth checking out.

For my 2 days off this weekend I'm planning on watching Gosford Park. It seems to come up a lot on my recommendations list. I read up on it at the IMDB and the movie definitely seems like my kind of movie.

I had planned to download the 4th season of Eureka but for some reason it wasn't released to iTunes Canada. I downloaded the first season of Haven instead. I had seen the 2-hour series premier when I was visiting my parents last year and enjoyed it. What's not to like? Haven has the beautiful scenery of Nova Scotia (my retirement island), weird and creepy stories, and it's based on The Colorado Kid by Stephen King. What's not to love? I'm going to re-watch the 2-hour series premier tonight as a warm up.

On Pumpkins and Horror Movies

2011-07-17T14:33:00.013-07:00

(click the picture for Precision Pumpkin Carving tutorial @ instructables)

I know it's summer and I'm not trying to rush through the season but nevertheless I got pumpkin on my mind. Next month renews my quest to find the perfect pumpkin perfume at the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. I have Jack (as in Jack Skellington) but find the peach notes too cloying and they overwhelm the pumpkin. I find Pumpkin Latte smells too nutty.

Looking through the BPAL archives I have made note of a few older scents that I think would have appealed to me.

Blue Pumpkin Floss which is described as, "Puffy clouds of pumpkin candyfloss with a trickle of blackberry juice". I think the slightly spicy blackberry note would be a better compliment than the peach found in Jack.
Pumpkin I 2007 - Pumpkin with pear, white wine grapes, and jasmine-laced tea. I would've liked to have tried this. I would be wary only if the pumpkin scent is overwhelmed by the pear and/or jasmine (which happens often).
Pumpkin I (2008) - Pumpkin with mango, persimmon, coconut, and myrrh. I find with coconut that BPAL either gets it really right as with Shoggoth or Brown Jenkin, or it ends up smelling fake and overwhelmingly sweet like suntan lotion. However, I would love to try this scent as I think the coconut would warm up and soften the fruitier notes from the pumpkin, mango, and persimmons.
Pumpkin Patch 1 (2005) - Pumpkin with apple cider and mulling spice. A classic scent combination but I would be wary of this smelling like potpourri.
Pumpkin V (2007) - Pumpkin with benzoin, bourbon vanilla, lemon peel, neroli, blood orange, and red ginger. Warm, spicy, and sweet with a hint of floral. Probably exactly what I'm looking for.

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab should be releasing there Hallowe'en scents mid-to-late August so plenty of time mull over my choices. What I want is a pure, fruity pumpkin scent with perhaps notes of vanilla, sweet grass, and very light spices.

I associate Hallowe'en with the scent of pumpkin, pumpkin pie, and corn husks mostly because in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving in October and because I grew up in a farming town best known for growning corn and hops.

I'm also getting ready for fall by compiling a list of my favourite horror movies. I haven't finished the list but I can tell you 5 films that are definitely on it:

Now you may calling shenanigans because I left out my beloved (for lack of a better term) zombie films and Sci-Fi horror. I have my reasons which I'll explain in a few weeks.

That's what I have for now. Tonight is for watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and going to the gym.

Random Saturday Geekery

2011-07-16T15:40:00.006-07:00

I have 4 hours free per night to do what I want. As you can imagine that means deciding what to do is serious business. I've come up with a plan for tonight and it includes:

5:30-6:00 - Dinner while listening to Information by James Gleick.
6:00-7:00 - Read non-fiction.
7:00-7:30 - 5K run at the gym.
7:30-10:00 - Laundry and crochet while watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Random thing today included reading the Secret Science Club blog, browsing through iCalShare, considering reading Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, fixing up my Last.fm account, and planning 3 very nerdy vacations for 2012 (NYC, Washington D.C., and London, England).

Also, I have to amend my rule not to buy books until 2013. I'm buying my new Macbook in September so I will be buying a couple books including Mac OS X Lion: the Missing Manual by David Pogue (@pogue). Why? Because I always RTFM. I'm a computer geek; it's what I do.

Ticket to Ride

2011-07-15T15:28:00.005-07:00

I haven't spent any money the past 3 days but that's not unusual. I'm in camp right now so no need to spend money (except to replace stolen toothpaste).

I'm headed into Fort McMurray tonight to pay my rent so I'll be buying fuel for my car. Not very exciting news. But here is something exciting; I have tumblr blog. I'm sure I've mentioned it before. I frequently update it throughout the day so it's worth checking out. I've been really busy at work so I haven't had time to do much of anything else. I've become a shell of my former self.

Anyways, check out my tumblr blog, Ticket to the Moon.

I Did Alright

2011-07-12T19:36:00.006-07:00

(not sure who gets ©)

Today went alright. I ran 3.5 km almost without stopping. I'm very close to my goal of running a 5K. My shin splints seem almost completely healed but I probably won't be 100% until September. Until then, easy does it. I'm patient. I ran to my zombie playlist which I should remember to share.

I finished off the 4 part Dunwich Horror podcasts from the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast and am now listening to the At the Mountains of Madness cycle.

A few weeks ago I made a donation to the Mario Marathon to raise money for the Child's Play charity. I received notice that my copy of Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America by Jeff Ryan (@dailymario) was ready to download (prize for the donation). I haven't gotten around to that but I will tomorrow. I can't wait to read the book.

I did spend money today. I made a $15 US ($14.91 CDN) donation to the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast and received some nice atmospheric music as a reward. Also, someone stole my toothpaste so I spent $10.34 on a tube of Crest and 2 packs of gum. Expensive no? That's because I had to purchase them at camp so the toothpaste was almost $6. Highway robbery.

Full of Cthulium

2011-07-11T14:46:00.007-07:00

The day is full of good things to listen to and also to read.

Discussing The Dunwich Horror in 4 parts at hppodcraft.com. I listen to podcasts while I work. I'm addicted and soon I will be making a podcast of my own.

As for good reads:

You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier
Plague of the Dead: The Morningstar Saga by Z.A. Recht

Cheap, Sleazy and Mostly Free

2011-07-10T21:37:00.003-07:00

I'm not going to buy any new books until February 27, 2013.

It's true and I bet you're shocked.

What I did was order a bunch of books I had in queue then decided I am not buying anymore, because I don't want to.

I don't want to do a lot of things I used to do anymore.

I've decided to stop hedging (that's a long story).

I've decided to be frugal. This geek needs a new Macbook.

I've decided to try to get what I can for free and buy only what I really want or feel is necessary.

I've decided to share that with you so I can be held accountable.

I've decided to set new goals for myself and see where they take me.

I've decided to adopt a use-it-up policy.

I've decided after my analog experiment that I prefer living an analog life so no internet after work hours.

I've decided it's much more fun to be a creative person than to just talk about being one.

I've decided that social networking sites (with the exception of Twitter and perhaps google+) are not worth putting my time into. That too is a long story. I want to set up my own website and host my blog.

I've decided I need reboot.

Don't Run Away It's Only Me

2011-07-01T18:53:00.004-07:00

(© Christian Cantrell)

I started back at the gym tonight after a 2 week rest to heal up my shin splints. I went for a 2.85 km run/walk and it felt really good. My right shin is just a little bit sore. Tomorrow is chest/back so I will be able to rest up my legs.

If you're curious, the training program I'm using is called Couch to 5K. It's a great program and I'd be done it if it wasn't for my shin splints. I have until October to complete it so I'm not too concerned that it's taken me longer than 9 weeks. As the saying goes, easy does it.

Hair

2011-06-29T15:52:00.003-07:00

My new Farrah Fawcett hairstyle. It's awesome. I wanted to do something different while I grow out my bangs.

In 2003 I cut off my hair because it was in such bad shape after my surgeries in 2002. Since then I've grown it out to mid-back. Nothing wrong with that but I kept the exact same hairstyle; sort of Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra.

Since I'm deep into my nostalgia and 70's jag, I figured I would have some fun and ask for Farrah Fawcett hair.

I'm not sure how long I'll keep this style but it's just fun to do something different for the rest of the year.

Making Up For Lost Time

2011-06-26T22:06:00.014-07:00

Trailer camping in Luxemburg, 1978. This photo is of my dad and I. Trailer camping is the best. I'm not ashamed to admit that if I had a truck and an Airstream I could spend a good 10 years trailer camping and be perfectly content.

Apparently we visited some sort of theme park in Saarlouis, Germany. This photo is of my mum and sister, 1978. I've been working on cleaning up some old photographs but this is as good as it gets due to the quality of the film. My mum was totally stylish and I bought a pair of Michael Kors sunglasses (Fiji M2735S in Brown/Pink) that are almost as awesome as the ones she's wearing in this photo.

Wil Wheaton used to write these awesome Geek in Review articles for Suicide Girls . Way back in 2006 he wrote an article on the hardcover collector's set of Neil Gaiman's the Sandman called Absolute Sandman. Word around town is Neil Gaiman's graphic novel masterpiece is required reading by any discerning geek.

When Sandman was first issued in 1989, I was 13 years old. More importantly, I was a 13 year old girl living in a small town with no internet so I had never heard of The Sandman or Neil Gaiman. So I'm making up for lost time by reading a paperback copy of The Sandman Volume 1: Preludes & Nocturnes I picked up during my drive home to BC.

While I was at the Chapters in Kamloops, BC, I received these two John Scalzi books for free as part of a promotion. Wil Wheaton wrote a Geek in Review article on his friend John Scalzi back in 2007. I read the article but because I've had a backlog of books to read since, forever, I didn't pay much attention to it. So again, I'm making up for lost time. I'm starting with Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded because I want to get to know the author before I read his fiction work. Once that's done I'll read Old Man's War. If it's good I'll finish the rest of the series sometime before the year is out.

I played Yahtzee with my parents tonight. Got my butt kicked both times but it was so fun. Tomorrow night we're going out for a belated Father's Day dinner which apparently will be followed up by a few more games of Yahtzee. It's addictive but so worth it. Family Game Night is one of the best things ever.

Proof That I Really Loved My Lite-Brite (1980)

2011-06-25T19:38:00.005-07:00

Remember when I wrote that my favourite childhood toy was my Lite-Brite? Here's proof.

That Sounds Like a Lot of Work

2011-06-23T12:03:00.005-07:00

I read about the Earnestness Movement today. It existed a year ago for a fast 4 months. I read through the manifesto and found a lot I can appreciate. I especially agreed with:

"Sarcasm, irony, and disingenuous self-deprecation—this is the hegemony of cultural discourse in 2010. The lure of ironic detachment is a powerful temptation indeed: As a behavioural attitude, irony allows us to distance ourselves from the thoughts, comments, and/or aesthetics we express by self-consciously mocking them.

It is a simple and effective way to protect our fragile egos. Sarcasm, etc., suggests that we do not truly mean what we say, and therefore can never be held accountable for having an idea or feeling that is—well—stupid. A relief for the user of irony. A burden for those on the receiving end of such negativity-tainted messages.

To entertain such an inherently negative approach to life is tolerable in small doses. For much of the 20th century, irony was synonymous with small countercultural movements (ie; the Beats). Irony was there. It was significant. But it worked in counterpoint to the reign of Earnest Living.

However, lately, irony has reached a critical mass. In newspapers, blogs, magazines, concert stages, fashion runways—and especially Twitter—a Behavioural Cynicism has hijacked our cultural conversation. Its pistol is loaded with negativity and needless snarkiness… and its trigger is pulled by the fear of being perceived as stupid. In other words, our world is held hostage by a regime of Inauthentic Living."

Brianna Goldberg wrote about what I've been feeling much of the year. In February I wrote that I was changing my personal style because;

" it's my reaction to how I feel about modern society. It seems, though certainly isn't entirely true, that most people have become sarcastic, immature, dull, and downright mean-spirited. Not much whimsy and certainly a dire lack of charm.

I know it's not just something I fight against in myself. I also know that it's just not because I work in construction. Mean-spiritedness, anger, and sarcasm are rampant everywhere, especially on the Internet. I'm not going to preach about it because everyone that communicates on the Internet knows exactly what I mean. We have become a society of jerks. I'm not going to let that happen to me."

I really haven't worked on changing my personal style; at least, not yet. What is more important is my willingness to change the way I live my whole life by going back and being authentic to who I really am. I like my geeky self and my geeky hobbies and interests so why bother with anything else?

I am working at rebooting my whole life by not doing much of anything at all, except being myself. By being authentic to who you are, all the stuff you're not just falls away, including wrong people. I don't need a movement or a cause to rally around. I just need to find that sweet balance between my analog and digital worlds. It's that easy, and requires no forms to be filled out in triplicate.

Ticket to the Moon

2011-06-21T13:46:00.007-07:00

I'm creating another kick ass playlist. This one is full of nostalgia (not exclusively) and with my signature quirkiness. I have a bunch more songs to go through. It's a work in progress but I offer this up as an appetizer:

"Hallowe'en" [Remix] by Coffinshakers [Youtube Sampler]
"Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo [Youtube Sampler]
"Ghost Town" [Extended Version] by The Specials [Youtube Sampler]
"Scientist" by The Dandy Warhols [Youtube Sampler]
"She Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby [Youtube Sampler]
"Prologue" by Electric Light Orchestra
"Twilight" by Electric Light Orchestra
"Yours Truly, 2095" by Electric Light Orchesta [Youtube Sampler]
"Here is the News" by Electric Light Orchestra [YouTube Sampler]
"Space Oddity" by David Bowie [Youtube Sampler]
"Computer Camp Love" by Datarock [Youtube Sampler]

Antici.........................pation

2011-06-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

I'm currently writing a rather long and wordy blog post because you know, they're my favourite kind.

So I offer this up in the meantime. You know you love it, and if you don't, I can't help you.

a geek girl shopping spree

2011-06-17T18:23:00.004-07:00

I went shopping at ThinkGeek and it took me 8 hours and 1 stoppage for a fire drill. I usually put in a big order at ThinkGeek about once a year. The shipping is really expensive so I don't do it often. The last order I placed with them was March 2010.

I've been wearing the same 4 t-shirts at camp since that's all I brought with me in February. A plain black t-shirt for the gym and 3 ThinkGeek t-shirts for everyday wear. So I went t-shirt shopping and splurged on a couple of other items.

I wanted to get a few games (Arkham Horror of course, Zombie Board Game: Last Night on Earth, and maybe Mario Yahtzee). I didn't though because I have no one to play them with. Most people in this camp are either drunk, at the casino, or the strip club; or all 3 if it's payday. And the ones that aren't are usually out riding motorcycles or quading.

But this is what I did buy for camp:

Boba Fett t-shirt ("Boba Fett?! Where?!"). Star Wars X-Wing t-shirt. And for the gym, the quotable Yoda, "do or do not there is no try" t-shirt in code.

1up t-shirt for the gym. I figure it's best to now have 3 gym shirts on rotation. I also got a Glennz t-shirt featuring Ghostbusters and Pac-Man; and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? t-shirt. Both which soothe my 80's nostalgia.

Free You Are Here t-shirt which I got with my Geek Points. R2-D2 keychain because I keep misplacing my damn keys (also good for unlocking doors in the dark because it has a small LED light). Star Wars coasters just because I like 'em.

Bashful (aka Inky) Pac-Man light for my camp room. d20 and Crystal Firejewel necklaces because they're awesome. I've been wanting both a long time.

Not shown is the The Empire Strikes Back coffee mug and Laboratory cookie cutters. Whew! Not a lot of stuff but really good stuff that should last a very long time. I am happy and looking forward to adding to my collection.

Wonderful

2011-06-15T17:51:00.010-07:00

My friend texXx has added to my list of all the things to miss about growing up in the 70's and 80's. Enjoy his additions because they're awesome.

texXx's comments are in regular text mine are in italics.

I miss corded phones, especially the rotary phone. I love my iPhone, but I like the idea of not having a phone with me at all times. If someone called and you weren't home, oh well...

Or if they couldn't get a hold of you on the phone there was a good chance they knew why and would probably take the initiative to go and find you. There was a time when people didn't plan their lives to the minute and would find time for impromptu visits and conversation. I miss when it was perfectly OK to run up to your friend's door and yell for them to get outside.

I miss when there were creative writers and directors in Hollywood. Not every movie is a reboot, remake, reimagining, blatant rip-off, lame sequel/prequel, or some way to bring back long-lost memories of an earlier generation. For example remake "The Last Starfighter" or "The Goonies" and I will be forced to kill.

Oh absolutely. I also would add I miss when movies had character development and pacing that let you think about what was going on. Nowadays movies are so laden with special effects and split second scenes that viewers are forced to watch in a sort of stunned silence.

I miss not being spoiled with major plot twists in films and tv. Thanks to the internet, we have too much information. Seeing "The Empire Strikes Back" for the first time when Vader tells Luke he is his father...BAM! didn't see that coming. Would have known that months before the movie was released in this day and age.

J.J. Abrams spoke about this exact same thing (J.J. Abrams Champions Sense of Mystery in Era of Information Overload). Worth the read.

I miss cheap gas that was less than .99/gal.

I miss the simplicity of early video games. Yes the graphics were seriously lacking but those games were fun.

I miss stand up arcade games...with a bunch of quarters in my pocket. Defender, Galaga, Centipede, Frogger, et all.

I miss playing sports and/or Star Wars with my friends at recess.

Yeah that was awesome. I remember countless games of soccer at recess and lunch. I think I learned more from playing with friends than I ever did at a sports day-camp or clinic. I wonder if kids still play sports at recess? A lot of schools don't even have P.E. classes anymore.

I miss having time to read, draw, color, create...although having a 3 year old gives me time to do that with him again.

I miss staying outside with my friends until dinner was served. If you didn't get home in time, you missed out.

I miss trips to the cider mill in autumn for apple cider and doughnuts. (Regional thing being from Michigan and all)

How 'bout Apple Cider doughnuts? Or Apple Pie Spiced Cider?

I miss playing cards and board games with my cousins when we all gathered at our grandparents house. Uno and Yahtzee were cutthroat, take-no prisoners, winner-take-all games in our family.

Heh! My family wasn't cutthroat but it could get a little intense at times. My parents have always been big readers so looking back I think it was cool that they took the time to play games with my sister and I once in awhile. I definitely have some good memories, especially of playing Yahtzee and Trouble.

I miss getting on my bike and going. No clear destination, just set off and go...

That was the best feeling; having all day to take off on your bike and just explore the world around you. Children don't get that freedom anymore and I think that's a real shame. In a society where most people no longer know their neighbours, the world can be a scary place.

I miss drive-in movie theatres. Although I like the comfort of modern cinemas, especially those here in Austin that serve food and beer before the show starts, there is an ambiance that I enjoy about watching a movie in your car, with a crappy speaker box outside of your window.

I've never been to a drive-in movie theatre. I've always wanted to though.

I miss quality TV shows that lasted more than one season.

I know exactly how you feel. I don't own a television so I don't follow many shows but I would guess that Firefly was probably the last show that lasted less than a season that still has a loyal fanbase.

I miss 70's/80's music. Not really feeling the vibe of today's "rock/pop" music.

When people celebrated real talent and singer-songwriters? Me too. I miss the time before music videos when it was more substance than style and you didn't have to be attractive to be a famous musician.

I miss the Commodore 64 and Apple (1984)computer.

I miss programming in BASIC.

I miss having the time to learn about the technology I use. Will there ever be a period when technology will cease to evolve so quickly and give us time to catch up and perhaps enjoy learning about it more intimately?

Remember when computer and programming hobbyists used to have clubs and would print up and mail out zines and newsletters? Those were the days because it was a community of eager learners with perhaps a lot less trolls lurking about. At least if there were trolls, it took them a lot more effort and the price of stamps to be complete douchbags. In the case of early online trolls, hefty long distance charges.

I miss looking up information on whatever topic I choose in an encyclopedia at the library or at home. I also miss card catalogues at the library.

Card catalogues were the best! Remember when books had sign-out cards in them and you could see who borrowed the book you were reading last? Now it's considered a terrible invasion of privacy to look at the library records of patrons. People post some of their most intimate thoughts and pictures on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter yet scream bloody murder if anyone were to find out what books they read last.

I miss knowing all of my neighbors and sometimes being invited over to have dinner with them. Everyone looked out for each other.

Those days were the best! I can't even remember the last time I was invited over to someone's house to eat dinner (and I don't mean dinner parties). I miss those days as well when it wasn't a big deal that your friends would eat dinner with your family and vice versa. It never seemed like a big deal maybe because, in my case, we were all military brats and our parents probably worked together (or were in the same regiment or trade).

Today everyone is either on a special diet, vegan, vegetarian, or allergic to something so it's a minefield trying to feed everyone. I also miss community BBQ's. I think the last one I went to was in 1991 at CFB Chilliwack.

I know what you mean about looking out for each other. Base brats were usually a loose gang and we tended to stick together probably because the townies didn't like hanging out with us. They had all grown up together since preschool so they didn't really try to make an effort to hang out with us. Some did but there was definitely a separation.

Wonder

2011-06-14T13:51:00.007-07:00

I haven't written in a week but I've been caught up in this blissful wave of nostaglia. I think it was triggered by questions I answered in, The Artist's Way regarding my childhood, and by JJ Abrams and Super 8.

It's difficult to write about nostalgia when when what you're missing isn't the past but rather experiences and feelings that can't be put into words.

I had a great childhood. Actually, I had an extraordinary childhood and I'm grateful to have grown up in the 70's and 80's (1976 represent). But how do I write about all the things I miss? With great difficulty because I don't think I have the proper writing skills to really explain it.

I miss:

the sound of screen doors slamming shut as we kids ran outside to play.
I miss playing board games or even simple dice games like Yahtzee. Online versions of these games just don't measure up.
I miss a time when sugar wasn't the enemy and it was OK to eat creamsicles all summer.
I miss a slower-paced world where people sat on the front steps with cups of coffee and talked until the sun went down while the dogs slept on the grass (and sometimes us kids too).
I miss friendly people. I work in the construction industry. People are nice enough but very few of them are friendly. This is probably true of much of modern society.
I miss a time when children could take off with their friends for hours and do important stuff like build secret forts or act out really dumb ideas that usually ended with someone being bandaged up. This also usually resulted in their mother taking up a new habit of chain smoking.
I miss a time when a Saturday morning meant watching cartoons, building forts out of couch cushions and blankets then spending the rest of the day playing with the dog and finding ways to avoid blame well simultaneously finding ways to get into trouble. Now it seems Saturdays are for shopping. I hope that trend changes. There is too much adventure to be had in this world than to waste it shopping.
I miss mixtapes. Not the tapes themselves but the time put into carefully crafting the playlist and even decorating the tape case. I still make my iTunes playlists like mixtapes.
I miss summer afternoons spent at the movie theatre when do-overs, reboots, and remakes were a rarity.
I miss being a daredevil.
I miss the joy of learning about all this new fangled technology. There was a time when you could immerse yourself in technology and become an expert with time to spare. Nowadays you may have time to roll your eyes and make sarcastic remark varnished with irony before the next upgrade.

A few things I miss. It truly doesn't do justice to what I really want to say. Perhaps it will buy me some time to get my thoughts in order.

How to Get Up a Mountain

2011-06-07T10:40:00.004-07:00

Ever since I was about 15 years old, I've wanted to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Perhaps I was influenced by reading Karen Blixen, or about Stanley and Livingstone. I know I've just wanted to visit Africa and make climbing Kilimanjaro a part of that. My goal is to visit all seven continents (really visit) and Kilimanjaro + photo safari + anthropology tour are how I'm going to do Africa.

Kilimanjaro isn't a difficult climb and that's the best part. I'm not a mountaineer and have no intention of making climbing up mountains a lifestyle. And since I've been having trouble with shin splints I've had to switch to doing challenging walking programs.

I created a simple walking program that focuses on hill climbing on a treadmill. It's a good beginners workout and effective cardio substitute for running (at least at my beginner's level).

I set the treadmill to 3.2 mph (sorry, camp treadmill is American so it reads in mph. Sucks I know). Then I walk:

5 minutes at 2% grade
5 minutes at 4% grade
5 minutes at 6% grade
5 minutes at 8% grade
5 minutes at 10% grade

my peak is 5 minutes at 12% grade

then I work my way down:

5 minutes at 10% grade
5 minutes at 8% grade
5 minutes at 6% grade
5 minutes at 4% grade
5 minutes at 2% grade

For the trip I want to take, I think the average is 7 hours of hiking per day up Kilimanjaro. Again, not a difficult route but I would like to be in shape before I attempt it.

The Artist's Way Weeks 4 & 5 Check-In

2011-06-06T20:32:00.008-07:00

1. How many days did you do your morning pages? For Week 4 I was 7 for 7 but alas, for Week 5, I was only 1 for 7.

How was the experience for you? Awesome (well except for Week 5). I really enjoy writing morning pages. I only fail to do them because I am just too lazy to get up at 05:00. I managed for Week 4 and then I lost my motivation. But I am back on track for Week 6.

2. Did you do your artist date this week? Yes.

What did you do and how did it feel? I took an extra night off from the gym and went into Fort McMurray and bought myself coffee and mailed letters (for Week 5). I also bought myself a few magazines. Nothing fancy but I think necessary. I wouldn't want to end up resenting going to the gym so finding a balance is crucial.

3. Did you experience any synchronicity this week? No because I'm an atheist and I don't believe in nonsense like synchronicity.

4. Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery? Reaffirming my belief that living simply and mindfully allows me to experience the greatest amount of freedom. I've also realized how much adventure and creativity are important to me and that I'm on the right track.

As I work through The Artist's Way, I feel a greater creative need to focus on becoming a better photographer. Now that it's almost Summer I have the perfect opportunity. I'm living in a camp in the woods surrounded by trees and lakes and wildlife. If I can't find something worth photographing then I'm not trying hard enough.

I wrote today that I was going to focus on photography, saving money, and organizing and purging the stuff I have with me at camp. My goal for simplifying is to set up 3 containers (2 small suitcases and 1 Rubbermaid container) and to fill them with stuff I use. For example; if I use my running shoes (which is a no-brainer since I use them almost every day) then they get put in a container. At the end of my shift in 3 weeks, whatever I haven't used will get thrown out or donated.

This may not make complete sense now, but it will by the Fall because I have a plan which I will write about as I put it into practice. Stay tuned.

Chase Adventure but Don't Trip Over Stuff

2011-06-05T09:41:00.005-07:00

Recently I wrote a post titled, "Because I never finish Anyth...". My blog has been kicking around a few years and during that time I've made a lot of plans or said I was going to do a lot of things. It would be fair to say I'm only successful 30% of the time. Usually I make a bold statement then lose my job. The best comedies are tragedies.

But I will give myself credit for be tenacious. I stick by my goals regardless of how long they take to complete. Remember my goal for re-energizing my minimalist lifestyle? It's still one of my top 5 priorities. Saving money for Antarctica, Africa, and Asia? Now my #1 priority. I've wanted to go to Africa since 1991 and come hell or high water I will get there. I will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, damnit.

After a lot of soul-searching the past few weeks, I've really realized what makes me happy (adventure) and how little I need in my life (stuff). I haven't changed my goals but I've decided to put them on steroids, at least, as much as I can.

I've also decided I'm ready to let go of most of my books. It's been almost a year since I packed much of them away into storage. During that time I've maybe pulled out a dozen to be read again. I'm ready to get rid of 60% of them. I will probably donate them to the library instead of selling them. What can I say? The library has always been good to me so I would sacrifice profit to guarantee my books a worthy home. Not all my books would go. My creativity books, travel books, photography books, and cook books would all stay. The rest, I think, can go.

The big realization about the books came to me yesterday. I've been up at camp since February. During this time I haven't used any of the stuff I have at home and perhaps with a few exceptions, I don't miss any of it. I don't need any of it.

What I do need is a new vehicle soon. I also need a new laptop and in the future, a new camera. Other than that, I don't need anything else except consumables like body care products, clothing and shoes etc. Oh, and a new pair of sunglasses. Mine seem to have disappeared (which is turning out to be an annual event). I can't forget coffee because I'm willing to spend good money for good coffee. Camp coffee will erode your soul. Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

So that's what I learned the past week or so while I stayed (mostly) offline. I learned I need adventure like fish need water and that most of what I own is a huge burden and I have to get rid of it. I also learned that the Government of Saskatchewan sucks and that moving back to BC makes me happy.

Making the Rounds

2011-06-02T19:15:00.004-07:00

I went into Fort McMurray tonight to buy coffee. I had to do it. I couldn't take the smell or taste of the camp coffee a moment longer. Yes, the coffee is that bad. It wasn't a wasted trip as I came home with 2 bags of coffee (Pike Place Roast of course). I would have gone with my favourite Kicking Horse blend, Three Sisters, but the grocery store didn't have a coffee grinder.

I also mailed out 2 important letters which of course was wishful thinking at best since Canada Post has decided to go on strike tomorrow. Oh well; can't blame a girl for trying.

It was also an excuse to take 2 days off from the gym. I ended up running/walking five 5K's in 5 days. My legs were sore and in dire need of a few days rest. I obliged and am better for it. I will resume my training program tomorrow.

Oh and I'm moving back to British Columbia. I didn't get a resolution from my MLA regarding being denied health insurance in Saskatchewan. I really didn't expect a politician to do much anyways as the whole lot of 'em are useless.

I didn't bother to press the issue. Instead I made the decision to move back to BC and I'm really happy about my decision. My next big choice will be to decide between Kamloops and Kelowna as to where I want to settle down.

What else... as of yesterday my third 101 Things in 1001 Days list officially started. Awesome.

Gone Fishing

2011-05-23T10:16:00.006-07:00

(photo © Maureen F.)

Starting tomorrow, I will be offline until June 1, 2011. Week 4's exercises include a week of reading deprivation. The book was published almost 20 years ago so I've decided a week of Internet deprivation is a much more modern exercise. Why? Because reading has become something we do less of now. I think it's more a luxury to spend a week reading while leaving the digital world behind.

I will keep my iPhone on in case anyone needs to contact me. I'll be back on June 1; until then, have a great week.

From Week 2 of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way:

My favourite childhood toy was my Lite-Brite. I received it as a gift when I was really young, about 3 years old. I would spend many hours pushing those tiny, rainbow-coloured pegs into the black sheet designs. It is, I think, how I learned about colour. To make the colours seem brighter I used to pull my pillow and bedding into my bedroom closet and spend time there playing with the Lite-Brite in the dark. I never knew what my mum thought of me hiding in the closet with my Lite-Brite, but I’m pretty sure she just appreciated the quiet time.

My favourite childhood game was Clue: Master Detective. I loved playing this game although I didn’t find too many willing participants to play it with me. We’re a family of readers, not a family of gamers. This game was the reason I started reading Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.

The best movie I ever saw as a kid was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The day I saw this movie I had been stung a few time by wasps because I accidentally ran through a nest in the ground. I remember my legs being covered in calamine lotion and that the welts were really itchy. Despite that, I loved the movie and for many years I considered it my favourite movie ever. That honour has been replaced by Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is now #2, which isn’t too shabby.

I don’t do it much but I enjoy web programming and reading long, heavy novels or technical manuals. Bliss is a weighty tome and a package of fresh, yellow highlighters.

If I could lighten up a little, I’d let myself take more time off. That’s not going to happen because I desperately need a new vehicle so I have to work and save up a lot of money.

If it weren’t too late, I’d have gone back to university and become a Planetary Scientist, Anthropologist, or Astrophysicist.

My favourite musical instrument is the oboe or the flute but I also love a good guitar or drums. If you want to listen to inspired drum playing, listen to the entire album Lateralus by Tool.

The amount of money I spend on treating myself to entertainment each month is about $150. I’m not stingy. I will be stingy from now on because I have to save for a new vehicle. My priorities have shifted.

If I weren’t so stingy with my artist, I’d buy her a brand new Nissan Xterra or a Nissan Frontier King Cab Pro 4x.

Taking time out for me is essential to my well being and sanity.

I am afraid that if I start dreaming (I’m not afraid of dreaming or doing. Life is too short to be afraid of anything except hippos and hungry lions).

I secretly enjoy reading creativity books. I hate self-help books but creativity books are fun; like colouring books for adults.

If I had had a perfect childhood I’d have grown up to be an Astrophysicist or a writer. I will add that my childhood was almost perfect. I would have corrected the beginning of this sentence to read, “If I had had a perfect education”. My public school education was pathetic and never was it challenging or inspiring.

If it didn’t sound so crazy, I’d ~~write or make~~ build a cabin next to a lake in the woods. Maybe my destiny is to live in eastern Canada with all this talk and dreaming of living in cabins by lakes with ducks and loons.

My parents think artists are cool, I guess. My parents have never had an issue with artists. In fact my dad is somewhat artsy and both my parents are voracious readers.

What makes me feel weird about this recovery is nothing actually. In fact, it has been a rewarding experience so far. I feel much more enlightened about what I truly value instead of what I should or used to value.

Learning to trust myself is probably a non-issue. I trust myself completely. I just have to not procrastinate so much and be wary of giving into cravings for sweets or cigarettes. Giving up smoking is easiest because the rewards are greatest.

My most cheer-me-up music is either my entire Slipknot collection played on random or "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 or Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

My favourite way to dress is to wear as little as possible. My perfect daily wardrobe would be bra; underwear; jeans; t-shirt; and light, merino wool cardigan or a hoodie. Socks are fine but I prefer not to wear them; same goes for shoes. It's not that I don't enjoy fancy or whimsical clothing but I never seem to have an occasion to wear them. How sad. Perhaps I should get out more.

The Artist's Way Week 3 Check-In

2011-05-22T21:02:00.003-07:00

1. How many days this week did you do your morning pages? Twice.

How was the experience for you? Interesting. Writing 3 three pages of anything and everything really helps push my thoughts into order. I realized that not only do I need structure, I also require a healthy dose of simplicity. When I thought about what type of simplicity, I realized I miss living in real time; the analog world.

I find lately that my life is becoming internet-centric and it's too much. The internet is too much so I'm going to try and limit my interaction with the internet to 1 hour a day. It's not just the internet, I miss living my analog life. I miss reading actual books. I miss putting together actual puzzles or writing longhand. I think for the rest of 2011 I'm going to live it in real time and bring back the depth and simplicity of living by moments.

If you skipped a day, why did you skip it? Same reason as last week; I struggle with waking up early enough to get them done. I'm in the gym until 8:30 pm, then I shower, and finally read for a bit until my hair is dry. I'm usually asleep about 10pm. I'm going to try and hit the gym earlier to see if that helps.

2. Did you do your artist's date this week? No, because I didn't leave site.

3. Did you experience any synchronicity this week? I don't believe in synchronicity. I am an atheist, I believe in making choices.

4. Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery? Creatively; no. Physically; yes. It is going to take a good, long while for my shin splints to heal. This means I've had to stop running and try other ways to get my cardio. My focus for week 4 will be to maximize my cardio to make up for not putting in running time.

Write Off

2011-05-21T12:52:00.002-07:00

I'm not on the top of my game. I haven't been to the gym in 2 days. I took 1 day off to rest and missed yesterday due to being evacuated from site due to a forest fire. On the bright side, it means I've given my muscles 2 complete days of rest and that's always a smart thing to do.

Watching the lightning storm moments before it sparked a forest fire.

Evacuating site due to forest fire.

Water Bomber flying over to fight forest fire.

Heavy equipment being brought on site to fight forest fire.

Smokey sunset. Safe and sound, back in camp.

Because I Never Finish Anyth...

2011-05-18T20:15:00.008-07:00

One of the tasks for Week 3 of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way is to list 20 things I like doing. I figured I would go back to the past and create my 3rd 101 Things in 1001 Days List. I created my first list back in 2006 and my 2nd list in 2008. I didn't finish either list (the 2nd it seems is still active) but then I don't really finish anything I start, not often anyways. My only lame excuse is working up in the Oil Sands makes it difficult to find the time to take advantage of my opportunities.

So I created a 3rd list, and perhaps being wiser I may have chosen tasks that are more accessible and/or travel well. There are some unrealistic goals of course because it wouldn't be fun to play it safe. After reviewing the list, I noticed it's travel-centric and I am more than OK with that.

The list can be viewed at the Day Zero Project website but I will also list it here. I really encourage everyone to make a list. It really is life changing because you make deliberate choices to bring more adventure and add more depth of experience to your life.

1. Go spelunking
2. Visit the Muttart Conservatory
3. Go white water rafting
4. Take an ice walk in Johnston Canyon
5. Visit the U of A Devonian Botanic Garden
6. Take professional snowboarding lessons
7. Go to a wine tasting in the Okanagan
8. Make homemade soap
9. Make homemade candles
10. Watch all 6 Star Wars films in a row
11. Make a bottle of limoncello
12. Finish reading the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson
13. Convert my music from cds to mp3 format
14. Visit the Calgary Zoo
15. Knit a pair of socks
16. Knit a pair of gloves
17. Knit a sweater
18. Knit a hoodie
19. Sew 2 quilts
20. Crochet a blanket
21. Get a passport
22. Read 5 books by Canadian authors
23. Try 5 new Canadian red wines
24. Organize my iTunes library and iPhone/iPods
25. Try 5 new beers
26. Do a photographic study of my neighbourhood
27. Do a photographic study of camp life.
28. Read my 6 Diane Ackerman books.
29. Complete The Artist's Way
30. Complete Walking in This World
31. Complete Finding Water
32. Complete the Vein of Gold
33. Go sea kayaking
34. Go camping
35. Watch 5 movies from AFI 100 Movies (10th Anniversary) list
36. Watch 5 movies from AFI 100 Passions list
37. Watch 5 movies from AFI 100 Thrills list
38. Watch 5 movies from AFI 100 Laughs list
39. Watch 5 movies from AFI 100 Cheers list
40. Read 5 Stephen King novels I haven't gotten around to
41. Organize my online library correctly
42. Get a Sea Shanty massage at the LUSH spa in London, England
43. Visit Antarctica
44. Visit New Zealand
45. Visit the Galapagos Islands
46. Visit Washington, DC
47. Visit the American Museum of Natural History in NYC
48. Visit the British Museum in London, England
49. Visit the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, ON
50. Visit Nova Scotia
51. Visit New Brunswick
52. Visit Prince Edward Island
53. Take a Northern Lights tour in Fort McMurray, AB
54. Hike Wood Buffalo National Park, AB
55. Visit Nunavut
56. Visit the Northwest Territories
57. Visit the Yukon
58. Visit Ontario
59. Visit Quebec
60. Visit Newfoundland and Labrador
61. Visit Manitoba
62. Listen to all the H.P. Lovecraft podcasts from hppodcraft.com
63. Write a non-fiction book
64. Read 27 classic novels
65. Listen to 27 great albums
66. Visit the Nikka Tuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge, AB
67. Visit Waterton Lakes National Park, AB
68. Visit the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, ON
69. Visit Province House, Prince Edward Island
70. Visit the Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
71. Visit the National Museum of Natural History, in Washington DC
72. Visit the Goddard Space Flight Center
73. Visit the Cypress Hills Dark Sky Preserve, AB/SK
74. Visit Grasslands National Park, SK
75. Buy a new digital SLR camera
76. Buy a pea coat
77. Hike the West Coast Trail, BC
78. Do the Inside Passage Wilderness Tour with BC Ferries
79. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days is over
80. Write a personal mission statement
81. Run a 5K
82. Finish The Right to Write
83. Finish the Sound of Paper
84. Knit a pair of mittens
85. Knit a pair of fingerless gloves
86. Sew a bag
87. Visit Africa
88. Photograph my journey from home to camp
89. Complete NaNoWriMo
90. Finish all drawing exercises in one art book
91. Visit Australia
92. Visit Vietnam / Cambodia
93. Listen to 12 DVD Commentaries
94. Visit the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC
95. Visit the Minter Gardens in Agassiz, BC
96. Attend the Celebration of Light in Vancouver, BC
97. Buy a new vehicle
98. Buy a new MacBook
99. Buy a pair of oxfords
100. Learn to identify 10 constellations
101. Make a list of my Must-See Movies

The Artist's Way Week 2 Check-In

2011-05-15T20:25:00.004-07:00

Before I begin, I would like to mention I now have a Tumblr blog as well. It's for all the random stuff that I come across in my meanderings both digital and analog.

1. How many days this week did you do your morning pages? Twice.

How was the experience for you? As always the experience was great. Writing has always been a great way to calm my thoughts and concentrate. I only did them twice because I'm struggling with waking up early enough to get them done before I have to get ready for work.

How did the morning pages work for you? I realized, with crystalline clarity, that I need strict routine and structure in my day-to-day life in order to accomplish my goals. I am too much a free spirit and if I choose to just 'wing it' I end up procrastinating or getting distracted. If I follow a strict routine I almost always accomplish all my goals. Better yet, I become more creative because I focus on the task at hand. I created a schedule and it includes both my fitness and creativity goals in 90 day increments.

What were you surprised to find yourself writing about? My health and fitness goals. As much as creativity is important to me, I think that my health and fitness goals are the most important and I find myself more focused and excited about accomplishing those goals.

2. Did you do your artist date this week? I did but it was more focused on fitness. I went to Fort McMurray today and treated myself to a new pair of running shoes and wow, did they make a difference! I don't usually go to the gym on Sundays but I decided to do 30 minutes on the treadmill to test out my new shoes and I shaved off 3 min/km off my time. When I went to SportChek, I spent a good 45 minutes to an hour trying on shoes to make sure I got the right pair for me. Seems I was successful because my shins and calves didn't bother me a bit on my 5K interval training.

3. Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant to your recovery? Just the waking up issue. I'm aiming for 05:00. It never used to be an issue but I've fallen into the habit of waking up at 06:00. I will make an effort to change this during Week 3.

Don't Be A Dick

2011-05-13T18:11:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I was denied health insurance by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health because I work in Alberta and because I will not show them my private tax information.

Two weeks ago, after having moved back to Saskatchewan in August 2010, I finally applied for my Saskatchewan health card. As you can see in the picture above I was required to submit copies of 2 pieces of identification. I went beyond the required documentation and provided 3; my driver's licence, my Social Insurance Number, and my birth certificate.

They called me and asked a few questions and basically accused me of being a liar and/or running a scam. Why? Because I choose to work in Alberta, I have an Alberta phone number, and I prefer that my sensitive mail gets delivered to my parents in BC so they can forward it to my work.

I paid my taxes in Saskatchewan each time I lived there. I filed my 2007 taxes when I lived there in 2008 and I filed my 2009 taxes there as well when I moved back in 2010. In order to get a driver's licence in August 2010, I showed SGI proof that I paid my taxes.

However, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is declaring that a driver's licence is NOT proof of residency. It does not matter that the Government of Canada recognizes my driver's licence as a valid proof of residency both at a provincial and federal level since it is all I'm required to show when I vote. If I were to apply for a passport all I would have to provide are the 3 documents listed above (along with completed paperwork of course) and I would be given a passport.

After being denied my health card three times over the phone on Thursday, May 12, 2010, I contacted my MLA (political representative) in Moose Jaw. I was told to expect a phone call on Monday, May 16, 2010.

I am not going to extend this fight past Monday. If I don't get a satisfactory response I am moving; back to Alberta or back to BC. I refuse to give the province of Saskatchewan another dime of my money, through taxes or otherwise, if the government does not issue me a health card because I refuse to put into a system that does not give back. End of Story.