Feb 08 0 comments
Life In a Nutshell

Just another weekend…in Olympic Land

olympic_truce_logo Ohh I think I’ve mentioned it a few times now…but the Olympics are HERE!  And by here I mean like in full force no one speaks English in down town Vancouver here.  It’s amazing!  I had gone from being exciting they were coming to dreading it to wanting to like it to now almost to loving it.  Luckily I found a way to volunteer as a participant and am doing 21 hours of service and am now looking for more hours to volunteer.  It’s so much fun!  And I am not a volunteer type person.  Actually I can just be really shy about meeting new people and so having to chat with perfect strangers who  may or may not speak English is definitely out of my comfort zone.  But we all must leap out of that zone every once in awhile otherwise we become boring and stagnit and will never have any type of personal growth.  So here I go!

At the moment I am mainly volunteering for the Truce project.  It’s entire purpose is to promote peace.  Yes, we are the Beauty pageant part of the Olympics…world peace.  Silliness aside it is a noble idea.  This is a the first Olympics where there is an art installation attached to the main project.  We are asking each participant to write on a piece of paper how they make peace in their life or community.  Then they origami fold it into what resembles a maple seed, tape a LED light onto it then shoot it up this giant tube 3 stories into a net.  If folded correctly the “maple seed” should twirl slowing around gently landing in the net.  It’s quite fun.  And the whole thing is recyclable.  The lights will be removed and reused, the paper recycled, and the net will go to it’s original purpose…to catch fish.  So come over to Vancouver’s public library at 350 W. Georgia St. and participate.  It’s completely free and we are promoting the idea of starting peace by each person have a positive thought about it.  Peace begins with the individual and spreads out.  It’s a nice thought and it makes me smile helping out.

Now if I can only volunteer for 9 more hours so I can get my green Olympic fuzzy fleece thing…life would great. ;)

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Feb 02 0 comments
Life In a Nutshell, Relationships

What a Week

computing_stressIt’s only Tuesday but already it’s been one hell of a week.  First my Flash class just about killed me. It’s amazing how something which can seem so simple can be so utterly confusing and difficult.  But alas that is the nature of Flash.  Luckily that part is finished for now.  Now to just finish the rest of my work for this week and then next week. sigh

And on top of all that two of my friends broke up with their significant others.  One was dumped and the other did the dumping.  But really it doesn’t matter neither are in good shape and it’s all so sudden and awful.  Both live with their respected ex’s and now they are faced with the situation all day every single day.  I keep trying to get my one friend to take a few days off and sleep on my futon but she won’t do it.  I just know that having the problem around you 24/7 does not help you deal with it at all.  I feel awful for both of them and there’s just nothing I can really do to make it all better.  I guess I’m also in shock cause the one was just out of left field and I mean if I’m in shock then my friend…well my heart breaks for her.  Relationships are so difficult but it’s also really difficult to be alone too.

Can we every be satisfied and content?  Sometimes I really wish I were one of those people who could be content with what I have but I’ve never been able to be that way.  But my ambition isn’t out of control either so it’s not like I’m pushing, pushing, pushing to accomplish my goals.  Hell at this point I really don’t even have any goals.  Threw that shit out of the window about a year ago. And weirdly  for a person who’s lived her entire life based on goals…I’m really not upset about it at all.  But enough about that sappy business…

In exciting news, on Friday I have my first volunteer shift for the Cultural Olympiad.  I’m a bit nervous about it but am excited too.  I like that I’m participating in the Olympics.  I really wanted to be more excited about them being here but it really is a big hassle but I’m going to make the best of it and have a good time.  And I”m going to drag my recluse friends out with me!  Wish me luck!!!

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Jan 30 0 comments
Life In a Nutshell, Moving on Up; literally, Relationships

I’m still kicking!

635_bc_vancouver2010_cultural_olympiad_090305

I’d say it’s been awhile but really that’s a huge understatement.  Truthfully I got busy with school and running a site for a friend that I abandoned this one.  Sorry!  It won’t happen again.  I got reminded to get my bum in gear and post here again.  So here I am!

It’s now been 7 months since I moved to Vancouver.  In that that I have learned 4 computer programs, drawn more things than I ever imagined I could and found my brain again.  I had not really challenged my intelligence in so long that it took me a bit to figure out how to use it again.  Luckily going to art school, when you’re not an artist, and shoving tons of information into it at 11 week at a time tends to jump start the ole’ brain again.  It’s been frustrating at times but overall a good thing for me.  I am sick of being broke but I am in no hurry to head back into the work force.  I simply am dreading having to fight for work.  And I really don’t want to deal with where I am going to live.  I have no idea.  One minute I’m like LA and the next, no Vancouver!  It’s horrible!

But I’ve made friends here now.  Not quite the same friends I have in LA but they are really funny, good people.  And of course CANADIAN!  But I miss my crazy, drunken, wild just plain fun friends from LA.  Plus I miss LA.  Never ever thought I would say that but it wasnt’ all bad.  Granted at times it was awful!  I hated certain things about it but I do miss having more of a social life and the shopping and eating and bars and paychecks.  Ok that last one I can get anywhere.  :/  And I guess having friends my age though it’s not such a big deal here.  But still at times I want to shake them and say live your life now!  Working just to get a job is not everything!  But I dont’ cause they have to learn that one on their own – just like we all did.

Next month the Olympics descent upon us and at first I was really dreading them.  My school is the only staying open during the games but this week I finally managed to be able to volunteer for them.  Not I am working several of the Cultural olympic events and am getting transit for my work.  I am super excited about that one!  But can you imagine?  Me on a public bus.  This will be very interesting.  At the same time I also found more out about all the free events happening in the city.  It’s crazy!  I am definitely going to be hitting some of those up. And I’m going even if I cannot get anyone to go with me. Screw it!  I want to see these things and I’ll make friends or just see something cool.  I am also going to magically do all this while taking my midterm exams.  Heck you only live once so if I’m tired for 2 weeks then I will survive!

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Jul 25 0 comments
Life In a Nutshell

More Love from Canada Land

In the past month I’ve discovered a few fantastic treasures offered up by the one and only Canada.  Here are just a few more things I have learned:

1.  Shreddies – sort of like wheat chex but bigger & more flavorfull.  Plus u can get them in flavors like Vanilla.  And they offer diamond shaped ones which cost more but are just the usual square ones rotated on the box.

2.  Peanut Butter – Not all brands are offered but the best one is made by….Kraft.  Who even knew the made PB?!

3.  Cable & Internet – Broadband is available but only in select areas which equals basically no where.  My cable is through my phone line.  HUH?!  And it took like 2 hours to hook up and we were not adding any new outlets etc.  So strange.

4.  Mullets – We all know the fantastic Tegan  and Sara Quin made the new age mullett fashionable again but even they have adapted the 2 year old style but not here.  Which makes your gaydar go completely wacko cause even straight girls are wearing the style.

5.  French – I don’t think I have to say any more.

6.  Bang – In Canadian an exclamation point (!) is a “Bang.” – By far one of my new favorite sayings.

7.  Bowling – Here there are 2 different ways to bowl.  10 pin and 5 pin.  AND 5 pin is played with a giant bowling ball!  Could it be an easier?!  Love it!

8.  Curling – Now this sport is pretty played everywhere except the U.S well that and rugby (which is also amazing to watch) but I finally got to learn some of the traits of the sport.  I canot wait to play!

9.  Cider – Offered everywhere.  And by cider I mean the kind with liquor in it.

10.  Twitter – A Canadian Don’t.

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Jul 15 0 comments
Life In a Nutshell

Been Missing me, eh?

Sorry folks with the crazy ass move I’ve neglected well everything and everyone in my life.  Which includes this blog.  But I’m in Vancouver Land now and am slowly getting adjusted to life here.  Things were not simple to move here and I officially do not like Telus (cable company) nor Customs which applies to all customs.  But here’s a few fun things I’ve learned so far…

1.  People will laugh and point at California license plates.

2.  Canadians do not honk at other cars.  It’s rude.

3.  Flashing green lights blow –  pedistrian controlled

4.  In Canada you only get mail 5 days a week.

5.  Staying open late means 6pm.

6.  The Skytrain is not cheap and 20min is not a long time to drive anywhere – I’m just saying…

7.  Toonie and Loonies are your friends

8.  70 is apparently HOT here and you should be wearing practically no clothes when said temperature is reached.

9.  Speed Limit signs are apparently optional.

10.  I’ve learned there’s something good to be said about a competitive market place.  Pls see hating Telus.

11. (BONUS) Canadians are simply very nice & very laid back.  i.e. rushing is not an option.

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Jun 09 0 comments
Moving on Up; literally

Just Kill Me….

I think every single day I’m overwhelmed with decision regarding my move.  Soon I think my brain will explode and that I will never actually move.  I’m sort of hating it.  I just wish that each task I take on wouldn’t lead to 10 new problems.  Yikes.  Luckily today I managed to rent a storage unit and get a decent deal on it.  And buy some of those bags where you use your vacuum to suck all the air out compressing your stuff.  Why you ask did I buy those?  Well my storage unit is a bit smaller than planned but I cannot afford a larger one so….

There’s a good possibility I will be selling/giving away more of my stuff.  Not easily done considering the lovely economy either.  But I’m trying…Oh and don’t even get me started on the issues with my car.  Leasing cars are great ideas except when you want to relocate.  It’s quite awful.  And I need to paint today but I haven’t exactly started that yet and it’s after 4pm.   Oh yes instead I’m here bitching about my to do list instead of you know doing it.  Oops.  I have to paint today cause I have plans all weekend and then it’s only a few days before my friend and mom arrive.  AND may have to buy a car in the middle of all this drama.  Keep your fingers crossed that I just don’t lose it!

Check out my Vancouver Apt Building!

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Jun 03 5 comments
Life In a Nutshell, Musical Goodness, Travels

I’m a bad Mommie

Sorry to everyone who reads my blog.  I got supremely busy between work and working on moving.  I now leave in 24 days for Vancouver.  I’m excited but a bit overwhelmed with all the details.  This is where I wish I had an assistant.  that would be amazing!!!!!

Since my last post/update I’ve managed to work, not work, and then get sick for weeks.  I thought I was better but now have this really weird thing where late at night every few days I get sick to my stomach.  Not a good time.  It’s not anxiety but it’s definitely high on the weird scale.  Plus while sick I was trying to finalize the paperwork on my new apartment in Vancouver.  Talk about something sucking big time!  My new managers do not speak much English. I believe they are French but it doesn’t really matter cause I have to repeat things like 10 times before they understand.  You should of heard me trying to explain Fedex to them.  Their response, “we’re old and do not know about this fedex.”  Oh lordy :/!  But the lease is signed so here I go!

Now I’ve been trying to find a storage unit, decide what stays, what’s stored, and what goes to Good will.  AND I’m trying to sell some of my furniture NOW.  so if interested and you live in the L.A area….send me a comment! I’m selling a TV/VCR combo, fax machine, desk w/ chair, end table, small suitcase, Paraffin Hand/Foot Spa, Marc Jacobs jacket, and a pink leather jacket.  Really ti’s all in good condition I just never use it or wear it so why should i pay to keep it?  Hmm I don’t think so!

I’m also having to go through all my papers and decide what I’ll need in Canada, what can go into storage, and what is going to have to go to my parents.  I mean really who leaves their tax paperwork in a storage unit?  That’ screams, “Go Ahead!  Steal my identity!”  Oh and my portfolio is going to my parents too and I know they are thrilled to once again be storing my shit!  LOL!

Plus I’ve been several concerts including, Rachael Cantu, Hesta Prynn, and this Friday Sick of Sarah.  AND check out Tegan and Sara’s newly revamped website, www.teganandsara.com.  Just launched today!!!!

Plus along with that….I have to try and spend time with my friends, convince them to help a tiny bit w/ moving stuff (but not the actual move), and I’m having people come visit me.  It’s all a bit much and so by the time my classes actually start I’m sure to have gone completely nutterz.  Wish me luck!

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May 01 2 comments
Awkward Moments, Musical Goodness

NOFX Responds to Creepin’ Out Sara

From Spinner.com:

Hell hath no wrath like a Tegan and Sara fan scorned. Just ask NOFX’s Fat Mike, who’s in hot water with the out twin duo’s legion — and, arguably, rightly so.

You see, on NOFX’s new album, ‘Coaster,’ frontman Fat Mike recounts an awkward meeting with one-half of the sisters Quin in the song, ‘Creeping Out Sara.’ He sings about not being sure of which sister he’s talking to, and asks, with tongue-in-cheek, if they’d “ever had a threesome where they both ganged up one girl.” Naturally, some of Tegan and Sara’s fans, and many in the lesbian community, expressed disgust and even decried homophobia on Fat Mike’s part. So, Spinner recently caught up with Fat Mike to clear the air.

“It’s basically a true story,” Mike tells Spinner. “I was drunk, we did hang out at a festival and we were talking about sex. I mean, I’m dissing myself! I sound like a drunk creep, so I don’t know what the problem is. Their fans think I’m making fun of them, but I’m not. We had a really nice time that day.” After the festival, Mike found out that Tegan was the Quin sister he met that fateful day, but he has his bases covered. “On the vinyl version of the album, it’s called ‘Creeping out Tegan,’” he says. “I played it safe, and wrote both versions since I wasn’t sure.”

Tegan has been in touch with Mike but hasn’t publicy responded outside of a short message on her Twitter, which said, “nofx + t/s = lots of email/texts/blogs/phone calls. i think punk in drublic is a great record. we r lesbians. sara was creeped. i AM cooler.” That last sentence refers to line in the song where Mike says he heard Tegan was the cooler one.

“She told me, ‘I think the song’s rad but a lot of our fans are giving us a lot of s— because we’re not responding, because you’re dissing us but you’re not even dissing us,’” Mike says. “I mean, how cool is it that she said that she’s the cooler one? And she is cooler.”

While this should end the controversy, Mike is still offended. “We’ve been supporters off the LGBT community forever,” he says. “We have rainbow flags on our f—ing stage. We totally support that community. We call ourselves a ‘gay positive’ band — not ‘tolerant,’ positive. We think gay people are awesome and better than straight people because they’re having more fun.”

Tell that to Miss California.

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Apr 29 0 comments
Life In a Nutshell

The Dreaded Jury Duty

Yesterday I got the extreme pleasure of being called to Jury Duty at the L.A County Superior Court.  Shoot me now please.  No one wants to actually serve on jury duty unless they hate their job and welcome the paid vacation from it.  Being unemployed and super busy I did not feel this way.  Nope.  Starting at 7:30am which is before I usually get up in the morning, so needless to say I was not awake.  I wasn’t really awake for most of the day despite two coffees and a Diet coke.  You get to the courthouse, get ushered through security, then shoved into a giant holding room where a woman reads your summons to you over and over again then get shown a video and then the woman reads the same paper over again to you.  And there were still people there who got all confused about the summons. :/

After two hours of this nonsense finally you get to watch this video on how fun it is to be a juror. Riiiiight.  Cattle call time comes next.  Randomly they call a group of 20 or so people up to go to a court room for jury selection.  The entire time you’re hoping your name is never called.  After twice of not being called its my time. Great. So they shove you again into a tiny room where you are randomly called again to go into the jury box.  I’m now juror #6.  I’m not a lawyer but I am a smart person and let me just say the two lawyers in this case looked and spoke like they were 22 and heading to law school.  Not in their mid-forties.  I definitely could have done a better job than they did during this process which took forever.

After asking a bunch of questions about whether we were prejudice, one guy actually admitted in court that he hated all races and sexual orientations except for straight white people, and do we rent, own, property manage etc.  They send us off for lunch to only come back to start dimissing jurors the lawyers do not like.  I’m sitting there watching racists man, laid off guy who hates the world, and any person who already served on ajury be dismissed I’m starting to really become concerned. So what do I do?  I fidget, roll my eyes back letting my head rest against the wall and then in my hand looking very bored.  Oh wait.  What was that?  Score!  They excused me.  halelujah!!!!

I take my time wandering back to the jury room because once they scan you in, and yes you’re wearing a bar code badge, you can be called again for another jury selection.  Shoot me.  I nap, then read, and then at 4pm they let all of us go home!  And did I mention I went Green to go to the courthouse.  Yep saved about an hour travel time and $5 in gas too.  I took the Metro!  Best way ever in L.A if you’re in the Valley to get downtown.  I only use it now.  Plus it’s $1.25 each way and it’s on the honor system.

And in a side bonus, ran into a friend from college in the jury room.  Wound up having lunch w/ him only to find out he’s stuck on a two week medical malpractice suit.  Gross.

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Apr 22 1 comments
Musical Goodness

A Little T&S News….

Since I’ve been temporarily banned from posting on ATG about Tegan and Sara I thought I would share some news on them here.  Lucky readers you.  Here’s the latest from Alternative Press:

On the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2007’s The Con, members of their touring band join Tegan and Sara Quin, and Con producer Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) for an album Sara begrudgingly describes as “upbeat. I hate saying that, but we just get together in the studio and Tegan and I just dance awkwardly!” Fans can expect plenty of surprises, including a track called “Alligator,” which Sara based around a piano hook in a bid for urban pop hit-making. “When it came to fleshing the arrangement out, nobody reached for a guitar,” she recalls. “Six hours in and there were four people jamming on keyboards. I was like, ‘Oh, my God, are we Kraftwerk?’” But like many of the Quins’ adventures, there’s always a great back story involved. “Tegan and I did a writing session in New Orleans a couple months ago,” Sara begins, “We wrote seven songs together and all we had was an electric guitar, a weird acoustic guitar, a microphone and a drum kit. And we were like, ‘We’re gonna make a really stripped-down Replacements record, just harsh, reverb-y guitars and focus on melodies and lyrics. Watching everybody playing keyboards on ‘Alligator’ made me think, ‘You know, we’ve really gone off the path here…’”

http://www.altpress.com/features/six-degrees-discs.htm

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