Slow Train

Very shortly I will be off on a little mini adventure to the great metropolis of Winnipeg to visit with the ever wonderful Grapecat and her parents for the weekend. She is home visiting from the UK and I'm giggly that I can take a few days away to see her. Strangely there are no direct flights there from here, so instead (for about the same time and way less $$) I will be taking the train there. I haven't taken a train in Canada before, so I'm really excited. I am loaded up with library books (reading for fun!) and snacks and music and my lappy and looking forward to a nice relaxing trip there and a great relaxing visit. I just have to do all my chores before I go, mail off my taxes and set up some algorithms here at work so I can log in and run some while I'm there and not miss a thing being away for a few days (I love technology!).
He hee...
So excited :)

yeaah...I'm the taaax maaaaannnnnn...

Just realized I have to do my taxes tonight.
May I say ...whee?

*cough*

Easter rocks

Mmmm...my fantabulous Easter weekend included:

-2 whole days off
-sleeping in both days
-muffins!
-LOTS of wine and cheese
-hugs from my Dad
-napping and reading in the sunshine with J
-Cat snuggles
-giant omelete
-pewter mugs full of ale
-couch cartoons
-homemade apple crisp with iced cream (Yes I made it. Yes it was the best thing ever)
-canoodling of the highest order

Ah yes. Geo saw it all...and it was good.
I feel positively normal :)

Yes I've still got it and it's not for you.

I went to see MSTRKRFT and the Crystal Method spin DJ sets last night. It was a great show...good music. We met up with some friends and danced our faces off...The music was great, and it was at a local bar I've never been to. It was set up well, nice place with lots of room to dance and not too crowded...it was, however, a reminder of the crappiness of our current culture.

Once again, I was rubbed the wrong way (literally) by "club" culture. You see - I'm a child of the ravey hippyish sort of dance culture - happy, kind people there to enjoy the music. Some of them genuinely odd, but while they may pay you a compliment or check you out, it's civil and respectful and you don't have to worry about a smile to an occasional stranger ending up with a groping or someone assuming you're "out on display" and try to pick you up. I can smile and say "thanks, I'm here with someone" and that's the end of that and we can be friends and share a beer and a dance.
You know -normal behaviour?

I have no problem with someone finding me attractive and wanting to talk to me or ask me if I came with someone. I find it funny really. Why? Well, the thing is, I grew up a tomboy. A fat tomboy at that. I'm not a social animal...I've really come out of my shell the the last few years. To me, guys are pals...I actually get along with them better than girls. When I talk to guys I don't think of them *that* way. I smile at people and look them in the eye when I talk to them. Perhaps the fact that I am happily married removes that whole factor from me entirely when I interact with other people. The thing is - in all other parts of life if I smile and make small talk with someone it does not give them a free ticket to try and grab my ass.
And so why -WHY in a club is this different?

And so I appeal to all men out there.
Yes you.
This is important.

Women are people. Individuals. We are more than our appearance and we are fascinating creatures...witty -intelligent. It's OK if you find us attractive - that is flattering....but *think* before you act- how would you want to be treated? How would you like your SISTER treated? What gives you the right to make any physical contact with someone else without their permission? If you make a venture out to see if someone is interested and the girl tells you "no thanks" or "I'm happily married" or especially "you're making me uncomfortable" that means hit the road. Walking up to someone and trying to grope them, touch them, kiss them or otherwise be icky and animalistic only goes to show just how little of a man you really are.

Let me be clear on this, as there seems to be some of you who didn't get the memo- it doesn't matter what we wear, where we go or if we are nice to you - women are NOT objects. We are not asking for it. We are not obligated to perform or please you in any way unless we so choose.
Get over it.
Grow up.
Be a man.

The thing is - even if I were single...even if I were lonely...this sort of approach disgusts me. It's not the sexy part - I get that. I understand attraction and lust and desire, and I can admire someone who is physically attractive to me - but seriously people -to act creepy in a PUBLIC place...if you're willing to act like this in a public place? I don't want to know you. This demonstrates to me far more about your character than I can ever explain to you.
And don't blame it on the booze. I know plenty of guys who can be very drunk indeed and still not become Mr. Copafeel...it all comes down to YOU and how you feel about yourself and others and women in general. This stuff matters...

I'm tired of people going "oh you know guys! They're just that way!"

Bullshit.

My husband is NOT that way.
My friends are not that way.
It is not OK.

Please -aim for something higher. Something better.
I'm tired of this sort of thing...

Note to self - sometimes the warnings are real

Dear self,

After updating your iPod, when it says "do not disconnect" on the face of the iPod you really honestly shouldn't disconnect it without properly ejecting it.
...OR you have to reset it to factory standards and then have a marvelous time putting everything back onto it.
Again.

You should know better.

Pity

I just learned that Elizabeth Sladen, who I know as Sarah Jane Smith, died of cancer at 63. This makes me sad. I liked her a great deal. I wasn't even aware she was sick. I shall miss the sonic red lipstick...
She will be missed...smart, inquisitive women role models - we need more like her...

I was enjoying the Sarah Jane adventures. It will be so strange to see the new season, knowing she's gone on.
images

Meep!

Me hee...

I just got back my grade on my reading class:


85%


Yipadee!







AND so I can smugly say that I have officially kicked ass and am done the academic portion of my MSc.

For REALZ!

MEEP!

image

Shoulda had my space suit on

I can tell I'm unwinding from stress...I had the weirdest dream last night.

From what I can recall (it's fading fast) there was an epic event where people from the future and I and a few others had stopped a doomsday device (he hee doomsday device) from the future from exploding and saved the world, and then, to make sure no one found it, the future people came through the sky in a time portal and used a big crane off the edge of their ship to lift the device (which had a large platform on top of it) out through the sky and into space across the galaxy, where no one would find it. I was with the device, making sure the crane was hooked up properly...and then as I was lifted up in to the air, through the portal and into the darkest regions of space I was in awe. My jaw literally dropped as I looked all around...and it was beautiful...and then, to be honest, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the fact that I was in the deepest darkest space in a freezing vacuum and all that was keeping me safe was a little force field and I panicked...what if they just left me there?

...and woke up to J waking me up...apparently I was moaning with distress in my sleep. I must say - it was an incredible view...I definitely need to get in to space before I die...but next time I'm totally taking along a space suit. :)

And then there's this song. It's been in my head since I woke up. Enjoy :)
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Max and Mary...and me

I stumbled up on the neatest film last night.
Max and Mary.

It's an Australian claymation film about a sad 8 year old girl who decides to randomly write someone in New York. Her eventual pen-friend, an obese Jewish man with Aspergers, writes her back and the film follows them and all the light and dark parts of their lives for 2 decades in their quirky way of writing. It was brilliant. If you are looking for something totally unique, and very real, track this down and watch it. It's funny in spots...quite dark in spots...and thoroughly unusual and interesting. I enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed a whole night off like a normal person. There were grapes. And tacos. But not together. And a new snacky addiction - Popchips. Mmmmm....All this week I've been coming home as early as I can and trying to remember what relaxing and being normal feels like.
I find I've almost forgotten how which is really bizarre...but not quite. I need some normality to remember how to entertain myself when I have free time...I find myself giddy just having the free time. It's ludicrous.

I am also so very proud of J. The cooking show he does is now shown nationally on demand now. It's really well shot and original...and he's been shooting some emergency preparedness videos for the city of Saskatoon and they are full on pro quality - I'm married to one talented guy :)

I must get back to the lab...I'm doing some stuff for my MSc and some labwork for someone else as well...a little extra $$ for some pretties.

Have a great weekend everyone :)

Pothole season indeed.

After a movie last night, J and I wandered over to see what is, most likely, the biggest pothole I have ever, or will ever, see a few blocks from the theatre. It could more aptly be described as a sinkhole. It was car sized and about 10 feet deep.
Eep.
Pothole season indeed.
I know it froze and thawed a lot this winter but holy moly.
Be good kiddies or the ground *will* swallow you up...

LATER: Whew- I have learned it was from an underground water main break...I'd hate to think those size of holes just pop up from spring thaw :)

Yes. Quite. Ahem.

Oh let the heavens ring with my joyous shrieks and the ground ricochet with my wibbling....I'm done evil paper#2! I worked on it all weekend and was up finishing the 186 references (it was an 18 page monstrosity of knowledge) until 5 AM sunday, but it was handed in yesterday along with my reading list. I am officially done the academic portion of my MSc.

Giggedy :)

It was a long exhausted day and I went home after work last night, at a normal hour no less, had the best falafel pita and mug of Harp I have ever experienced and ended up going to bed ~7:30...Ah! Slept like a baby rock all night! This morning I was up for a swim and it's back into things.
What a relief to be done all that! My committee meeting has been set for the end of June so I have lots of time to get things done. It will be nice to slow down for a bit...
The image above is by Mike Mitchell. I really like his art...check it out if you have the time...

Improvements on brilliance?

When Harry Met Sally 2 with Billy Crystal & Helen Mirren from Billy Crystal

Hilarious...

Bjork and Toonsces

The proverbial light bulb has come on over my head with all necessary bells and whistles and I am finally getting somewhere with Evil Paper #2. Which is good, as it's due monday. Heh. Ahem.
Enjoy this gif of Bjork and what looks suspiciously like Toonsces in a small suit while I work away. Talk amongst yourselves taters.

"Look out for that cliff Toonces! Aaaahhh...."

PS - I removed the snow...because it's all melted. YAY! :)

Yeehaw!

He hee.

We have a grad student from the US who has a southern drawl. Whenever he talks about the carboy of distilled water it sounds like he's calling it a cowboy. I can't help giggling every time... image

mmm...delicious leftovers...

I love that J shoots a cooking segment...sometimes there are leftovers and he takes them home for me to have a bit of. He's sweet that way :)
After a long night at work I got to nibble on creamy quinoa pudding with grapes(like incredibly rich rice pudding only better...yes, that is possible.) and a wild rice salad with blueberry vinaigrette and cranberries and apricots. I have a bit of that for lunch today.
Yum.
That and firing up the BBQ for the first time on sunday has me itching to cook up some fancy foods...I'm looking forward to the weekend when I'll have a bit of time for that. :)

3 hours is a good length of time for some things

Whew.
What a day.
What a week.
Last night due to spectacular technical failure (stupid me. Stupid Word)I was up until 4 redoing hours of computer work (references and nit picky stuff) on Evil Paper #1 so I could hand it in this morning. I had hoped to have more time to devote to the summary talk I had to give to the other grad students as part of my MSc credit class, but it ended up being more of a wing it. The paper is quote good though. I'm pleased. And the talk was not something I was terribly worried about. I had planned out what I wanted to say and had lunch to go over and tweak my slides I'd prepared a while ago and add a few in, so it went well. I was more concerned about how I'd perform on 3 hours of sleep. I stayed away from caffeine to avoid sounding like a coke head when I spoke, but I need not have worried. How can I do with 3 hours of sleep 2 nights in a row? Quite well it would appear.
I find it strange at how blase I am now at public speaking. Other than my very quiet voice (I'm learning to talk louder) I really don't mind speaking in public about something I know well. It's small talk and chit chat that terrify me. This talk was a piece of cake. It went well. Someone brought little tiny muffins. I was chuffed :)

And now, I must survive my daily duties and some cell work so I can head home. Home to do some reading for Evil Paper #2 and most likely fall asleep on a soft thing as soon as I've had a bit to eat and slow down a bit. It's been one helluva week. One more to go and the insanity should lift. I am SO looking forward to a bit of a slowing down...I can catch up on data and writing for my committee meeting end of May. I'll have lots of time for it, so I don't feel too stressed about it. I know I'm literally doing all I can so noone will even begin to question my work ethic :)

And now, my good peeps, I'm going to "the hood" for an hour and then home home home to where my bed is.
Much love to you all...