An Early Valentine!

I present to you all... MY NEPHEW!

Pottery Barn Kids model and charming ladies' man.

Love,

The Proud Auntie!

Hee Hee Hee

Okay, I have to give the Nova Scotia Premiere props for this. HIL-ARIOUS!

Doncha love the accent? Heehee.

Here's the video that started it all. It also explains the Lockeport Greasepole reference... I must say, next family reunion? We ought to try out the Lockeport Greasepole.

I am also highly amused by this:

You can follow Mark's week living at Ikea here!

Happy Friday :)

Gillian

Updates!

Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia

Yesterday we took a little jaunt to the South Shore to look into getting a jacket for Belal and to re-purchase a few items for Nathan & Sheila's Christmas present (attempt #2.) It was a heavenly 15 degrees Celsius and rainy, so I inquired if we might go to a beach since we were already on the South Shore. Sadly, we got a bit lost and ended up in Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia. We didn't see much of it, but it was such the rustic picturesque sea village and I loved what I saw. I said "why couldn't you have moved HERE?" at the exact second my mum said "I'm glad we don't live HERE."

A-HA... that pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? Perhaps we should have had this discussion back in April!!! Granted a small town is a small town, but at least that one has an ocean view!

I am very, very, very disappointed in the change that the New Year has brought to Canning. The air raid siren that used to sound once daily at noon (except Sundays) and five times consecutively to alert the volunteer fire fighters has suddenly, alas, STOPPED. I'm not sure why it stopped, but I'm eagerly awaiting the next issue of The Canning Gazette, which will surely explain why this travesty has occurred. It's a sad state of affairs, I tell you. I might have to go to the fire hall and see what's happened.

Moving on: Today I managed to check two items off the "101 in 1001" list! I got a copy of "The Magic Flute", although technically I purchased it through my eMusic account in digital form rather than CD, but it still counts. I also made a catalogue of all of the DVDs I own, which at 82 was no small task. Yay me! Only 99 to go :P

Love to all,

Gillian

101 Things in 1001 Days Project!

At last, AT LAST! I finished. MAN that was hard to come up with 101 things, but I did it. Now I have 1001 days to do them. Oh boy. I will add the list to my sidebar (down at the bottom), as well as a "countdown" timer. I will change to a grey font on items as I complete them.

So without further ado, here is the Project and my list.

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

My 101 Things in 1001 Days List

1. Get another tattoo: “Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu” ("may all beings everywhere be happy and free." ... it's a yoga mantra.)
2. Do Yoga six days a week!
3. Get my own place again.
4. Try the internet dating thing (yuck!)
5. Make a catalogue of all of the books I own.
6. Make a catalogue of all of the DVDs I own.
7. Actually read all of the books that I have purchased, but never read (even the self-help ones!)
8. Look polished every time I leave the house.
9. Be in a functional, positive relationship (before I’m 30! Ye gods!)
10. Write seriously every weekend.
11. Start teaching Yoga (volunteering or otherwise.)
12. Not buy anymore shirts in unflattering pastels.
13. Do at least one random, positive thing each week to show people that I’m thinking about them (send cards, CDs, photos, emails, etc.)
14. Write in my Yoga Journal whenever I do Yoga.
15. Learn conversational Spanish.
16. Buy a new car.
17. Go to Walt Disney World or Disneyland with Kim.
18. Get a book about Ayurveda.
19. Build up enough shoulder strength to get into Bakasana.
20. Join a choir.
21. Learn the Samba Line Dance.
22. Take Ballroom dance lessons.
23. Take an adult ballet or modern dance class.
24. Do at least 20 things from my “Everyday Activist” book.
25. Quit biting my nails.
26. Touch up the spots of paint on my bedroom ceiling.
27. Knit an item of clothing for myself (not a scarf!)
28. Knit an item of clothing for my mum (not a scarf!)
29. Learn to crochet.
30. Get a job that I enjoy.
31. Create a list of people to contact if something were to happen to me.
32. Knit a sweater or blanket for every future niece or nephew, as announced (no pressure!)
33. Go to San Francisco again.
34. Explore the Old Burying Ground in Halifax.
35. Have Yoga portraits taken.
36. Re-read the Harry Potter series.
37. Go to Oak Island (and hopefully find hidden treasure.)
38. Go to Cape Breton.
39. Read the Yoga Sutras.
40. Re-read my Ashtanga Vinyasa text books.
41. Finish my Nova Scotia scrapbook.
42. Grow my hair down to my waist.
43. Set up a very Zen, permanent Yoga/meditation space.
44. Go to the optometrist.
45. Go to the dentist.
46. Start a wine journal.
47. Try one new recipe a month from my “365 Easy Soups & Stews” book.
48. Write down in my journal and Blog every lovely, inspiring quote I run across.
49. Attempt to find a typewriter ribbon distributor for my ancient typewriter.
50. Bake a cheesecake from scratch.
51. Bake a baguette from scratch.
52. Go to Maine.
53. Buy an unreasonably expensive pair of very girly shoes.
54. Make dinner for promising suitors, a la “Saucepans and the Single Girl.”
55. Add one item to my tool kit every year.
56. Wash my shirts according to directions on the label. Stop being LAZY :P
57. Buy a decent printer/scanner combo.
58. Start collecting antique silverware at antique sales.
59. Start collecting elegant antique tea cups & saucers.
60. Buy a sewing machine.
61. Get a cocktail recipe book and a classy martini shaker.
62. Have a fruit smoothie for lunch every day for one week.
63. Wear red lipstick out in public one day when I feel bold.
64. Fix the holey pockets in my winter coat.
65. Buy one good, vintage item (clothing or accessory.)
66. Make one retro 1950s style dress for myself.
67. Do a painting on a large canvas for my home.
68. Paint inspiring quotes on my bedroom wall (in new home.)
69. Frame photos for a “family and friends gallery” space.
70. Handwrite and mail at least one letter a month to a friend.
71. Write a “song of the month” post on my blog once a month.
72. Write (at least) one poem a month.
73. Sing out loud (at least) once a day.
74. Dance around like fool (at least) once a day.
75. Go to Target (have to be in the US for this.)
76. Go to Bath & Body Works and stock up on shampoo & conditioner (have to be in the US for this.)
77. Get a manicure & pedicure.
78. Go to Death by Chocolate at the Fairmont Palliser... mmm Chocolate buffet.
79. Go to a zoo.
80. Buy Miss Claire McKnight a special 1st Birthday present :)
81. Go on a Haunted Hike/Graveyard tour.
82. Finish watching The X-Files series before the second movie is released.
83. Seriously look into getting an Art History degree.
84. Go to (at least) two operas.
85. Buy four copies of Michael Hearst’s CD “Songs for Ice Cream Trucks” to give to people when they’re feeling blue.
86. Decide which city to live in.
87. Attempt to grill pineapple on my electric grill.
88. Learn something about investments and start some... or whatever you do with investments.
89. Re-read and flag pages in my “Blueprint” magazines. Do cool projects.
90. Re-cover the trunk my mum made for me when I was little.
91. Go the Marilyn Monroe exhibit at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
92. Take swimming lessons.
93. Buy or make a first aid kit.
94. Post a picture or video every time I post on my blog.
95. Buy Dad the complete “Get Smart” series on DVD.
96. Collect ten “cupboard of happiness” lists.
97. Introduce three new people to the joys of “Katamari Damacy.”
98. Get a CD of “The Magic Flute.”
99. Go for a ride on a motorcycle.
100. Learn to play a Hendrix song on the bass.
101. Donate $5 to a charity for every goal I don’t complete.

Wish me luck :)

Love,

Gillian

Dancing with Myself

I'm feeling a little like Billy Idol right now. I'm dancing with myself in amongst a bunch of post-apocalyptic zombies. My friends in Calgary have all fallen off the face of the Internet. I haven't gotten one single call-back about a job (I have now expanded my search across Halifax, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.) Perhaps the Apocalypse has arrived and we were saved by layers of lead paint and no one is talking to me because they've all turned into radioactive zombies? I like that explanation better than "everyone is just busy doing their own thing and they've forgotten about me."

I also feel very Generation X right now, sulkily looking for a "McJob." I'm not qualified for the jobs I want (apparently) and will soon be forced to seek entry level positions making coffee for old be-suited men who tell inappropriate jokes and don't know how to use the photocopier. I was so hoping I'd left that behind. augh. AUGH!!! SOMEONE HIRE ME! PLEASE!!! *throws massive tantrum*

Eh-hem. Alright. Well since everyone has fallen off the face of the Internet, I can ramble on about nonsense that no one is going to read anyway, right? Exactly. Like how I should make a dentist appointment. Hmm. Thrilling.

In my spare time I've been trying to put together a list of 101 goals for the "101 things to do in 1001 day project." It's actually really hard to come up with 101 things, but when I do I will post it up here for all you radioactive zombies out there.

Then you can read it or start your own or whatever.

I'm going to go be apathetic, lack a social identity and bliss out on technology for a while.

Love,

Gen X Grumpy Bear

Waiting: Day 14

My, he looks forlorn!

This is rather a bad picture of me, but I'm going to blame it on the flu.

To be fair, I chose to stay in the car with the dog while my parents went into Dollarama. I'm a big fan of Dollarama, but Walmart was particularly overwhelming today (still recovering from the flu) and I didn't feel up to the task of maneuvering through the masses again. You can get everything for a dollar... and I mean everything.

I still can't get over just how many eagles there are here! Every time we go out we see them piled in trees, flying in circles. Loads and loads of golden and bald eagles, chilling by the poultry plants. We're planning a little trip out to the actual eagle spotting sites in the next few days, and I'll bring my zoom and see what I can do about getting some shots of a golden eagle. They're awfully pretty!

Aside from that, not much is new. Belal and I are starting to recover, I'm still applying for jobs, no one is calling me back (damn you Westjet! damn you Lululemon!) Someone hire me, pleeeeeeeease!!! I am very, very, very lonely and am going to have to start paying people to be my friends soon. I think that's about it.

XOXO,

Gillian

Mmm, Fever-ey

Well two days into the New Year and my resolutions are already (temporarily) shot thanks to the flu. I feel like crap and am not at all interested in yoga or water or jobs or online dating. I am very interested in lying in bed, watching movies and feeling sorry for myself. I am also very interested in regulating my body temperature and Nyquil. Bed and Nyquil are awesome.

Although I do not enjoy the flu, I am fairly amused by the thoughts in my fever-addled brain. I was watching CBC news and I swear to you that someone said that a presidential candidate was "delectable." It was probably, in fact, electable, but "delectable" made me giggle. I was also amused by a search for a cell phone bill for half an hour before I realised I must have dreamed it up. I also thought there was a bat in foyer, but I was wrong about that too. I felt better when Belal tried to climb on mum's desk to bark at some picture hangers on the wall, though. He's sick too (thyroid and skin issues), so at least I have someone to be sick and crazy with.

Okay, back to bed.
Keep healthy!
Gillian